National Public Lands Day, 2010

Proclamation 8568 of September 24, 2010

National Public Lands Day, 2010

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

From majestic mountain ranges to beloved neighborhood
parks, Americans enjoy the natural places our ancestors
have celebrated and protected for centuries. Our public
lands represent the American spirit and reflect our
shared experience--our history, our culture, and our
deep love for wild and beautiful places. Every
September, thousands of Americans volunteer their time
and talents to protect our parks, national forests,
wildlife refuges, and other public lands. National
Public Lands Day is an occasion to join together in
honor of our Nation's unique natural treasures.

Every year, Americans take this opportunity to conserve
and restore our public places. Last year, an estimated
150,000 dedicated volunteers removed litter and
invasive plants; cleaned water resources; built and
maintained trails; and planted trees, shrubs, and other
native plants. This year, I encourage even more
Americans to volunteer in local projects to have a
greater impact on parks and public lands across our
Nation.

Taking care of our public lands is and must continue to
be a proud American tradition. In April, I hosted the
White House Conference on America's Great Outdoors to
address challenges and opportunities surrounding
conservation today, and to identify new ways to work
together to preserve our natural bounty. I also
inaugurated the America's Great Outdoors Initiative to
build a conservation agenda for the 21st century, and
to reconnect Americans to our great outdoors. To do
this, I instructed my Administration to participate in
listening sessions around the country to hear
Americans' concerns, and to learn about what citizens
and communities are doing to safeguard our land, water,
and wildlife, as well as places of historic and
cultural significance. As a Nation, we must engage in a
new conversation about the conservation of the
cherished places that have helped define us.

On this day of service and celebration, I encourage all
Americans to give their time and energy to care for--
and to go out and enjoy--our public lands. Together, we
can build upon our history of stewardship so our unique
landscapes are preserved for countless generations to
come.

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 25, 2010,
as National Public Lands Day. I invite all Americans to
join me in a day of service for our public lands.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-fourth day of September, in the year of our Lord
two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.