[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 125, 112th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 8719 of September 22, 2011

National Public Lands Day, 2011
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
At the dawn of the 20th century, President Theodore Roosevelt embarked
on a tour of the American West that forever changed our Nation's
relationship with the outdoors. His visits to Yellowstone, Yosemite, the
Grand Canyon, and other natural wonders instilled in him a commitment to
conservation, and they motivated him to designate millions of acres of
protected land. Today, our public lands system is a model of
conservation and an important resource for clean energy, grazing, and
recreation--vital economic engines in both rural and urban communities.
On National Public Lands Day, we take time to appreciate our parks,
national forests, wildlife refuges, and other public spaces, and we
recommit to protecting and restoring them for future generations. This
year, thousands of dedicated volunteers will continue a proud American
tradition by conserving and restoring our public lands with local
projects across our Nation. Americans will restore hiking trails, remove
invasive plant species, clean lakes, and pick up litter in city parks.
Through their service, families and children will find opportunities for
outdoor activity on the millions of acres of national forests, parks,
and trails.
To maintain our environmental heritage and build a responsive
conservation and recreation agenda, my Administration launched the
America's Great Outdoors Initiative last year. We met with thousands of
Americans in listening sessions across our country, and compiled the
results of this national conversation in the report, America's Great
Outdoors: A Promise to Future Generations. To act on these findings, we
are undertaking projects in collaboration with State, local, and tribal
governments to responsibly steward the lands that belong to all
Americans. First Lady Michelle Obama also joined in support of getting
Americans outside when the Let's Move! initiative, in coordination with
the Department of the Interior, launched Let's Move Outside! to help
families exercise in the great outdoors.
Countless Americans have experienced the same awe and wonder that
President Roosevelt felt on his westward journey. By joining in this
legacy of conservation, Americans young and old protect not only our
lands, but also the promise that future generations will be able to
carry forward the spirit of adventure that lies at the heart of our
Nation.
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 September 24, 2011, as
National Public Lands Day. I encourage all Americans to participate in a
day of public service for our lands.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day
of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
sixth.
BARACK OBAMA