[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9289 of May 29, 2015

Great Outdoors Month, 2015

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America's vast and varied landscapes have always been central to the
character of our Nation and the story of our people. Their rugged beauty
reflects our national history and heritage--as pioneers who forged new
paths and explorers who dared to venture into the unknown--and continues
to inspire new generations of outdoor enthusiasts. Our mountains and
rivers are part of who we are, and they are the birthright of all our
people. Today, one-third of all our Nation's land is publicly owned and
set aside for the use and enjoyment of every American. These are the
places that make our country great, and as heirs to this extraordinary
legacy of conservation, we have an obligation to make sure our children
and grandchildren can enjoy the everlasting bounty of the great
outdoors.
Our Nation's public lands and waters fuel our economy and support our
industries. Home to living laboratories and wondrous playgrounds, they
spark boundless curiosity and innovation, and in the desolate
wilderness, adventurers rediscover the spirit of independence that
unites all Americans. As President, I am committed to ensuring every
child in America--regardless of who they are or where they live--has the
opportunity to explore these treasured spaces. That is why earlier this
year I launched the Every Kid in a Park initiative, which will provide
all fourth graders and their families with free admission to our
National Parks and other Federal lands and waters for a full year. And I
invite all Americans to ``Find Your Park'' and celebrate some of the
most beautiful landscapes and waterscapes in the world.
As a Nation, we must work to safeguard nature's splendor for generations
to come. Climate change threatens our lands and waters, as well as the
health and well-being of future generations. That is why my
Administration has taken commonsense actions to combat climate change,

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ensure the resilience of our natural resources, and protect our
children. I am proud to have protected more than 260 million additional
acres of public lands and waters--more than any other President--which
includes the establishment or expansion of 16 National Monuments through
my Executive authority. For more than a half-century, the Land and Water
Conservation Fund has helped to protect these iconic places and make it
easier for families to spend time outside. The Fund has advanced over
40,000 local projects by making critical investments, including in
battlefields, National Parks, baseball fields, and community green
spaces, and I continue to call for the full and permanent funding of
this vital tool of environmental stewardship.
During Great Outdoors Month, Governors, communities, business leaders,
and organizations will host thousands of events across the country to
celebrate our unparalleled outdoors. I encourage Americans to
participate in these activities and to take the time to experience the
natural grandeur of our Nation. As we enjoy these magnificent places,
let us rededicate ourselves to doing our part to preserve them for all
our future explorers, adventurers, and environmental stewards.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2015 as Great
Outdoors Month. I urge all Americans to explore the great outdoors and
to uphold our Nation's legacy of conserving our lands and waters.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of
May, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
ninth.
BARACK OBAMA