Join Us in Continuing the Conversation on America’s Great Ou...
Last week, President Barack Obama announced the Administration’s action plan, under the America's Great Outdoors initiative, to achieve lasting conservation of the outdoor spaces that power our nation’s economy, shape our culture, and build our outdoor traditions. This initiative seeks to reinvigorate our approach to conservation and reconnect Americans, especially young people, with the lands and waters that are used for farming and ranching, hunting and fishing, and for families to spend quality time together. Recognizing that many of these places and resources are under intense pressure, the President established the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative last April to work with the American people in developing a conservation and recreation agenda that makes sense for the 21st century.
This report is the product of 51 listening sessions across the nation—21 specifically with young people—consisting of more than 10,000 participants spanning all ages and backgrounds, plus more than 100,000 comments from citizens across the nation sharing with us your priorities for the lands and waters that you know best. We built this plan with your input and your involvement doesn't stop there.
On March 3, 2011, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson and CEQ Chair Sutley will continue the conversation by hosting the first America’s Great Outdoors live chat. You can join by video before the chat or by Facebook during the chat. You can post your YouTube video questions by responding to the video above, or by sending your questions to [email protected]. To submit by Facebook during the live chat, sign on to our Facebook chat application on Thursday March 3rd at 4:30 pm (EST).
We look forward to talking to you!
A Personal Message from CEQ Chair Nancy Sutley: It Gets Better
On December 22, 2010, President Obama signed a repeal of "Don't Ask, Don’t Tell," putting an end to a destructive policy that has forced brave Americans to lie about who they are for the privilege of serving their country. I am proud to be part of an Administration that fights to strengthen the foundation of equality in this country. I am also proud to be one among many openly gay members of the Obama Administration.
In my youth, I could not imagine a future for myself as an openly gay adult. Today, I am the principal environmental advisor to the President of the United States of America. And I am openly gay with supportive family, co-workers and friends.
I want all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth to hear my story, and the story of others like me. Several White House staff and I have recorded a message as part of the It Gets Better Project, a national campaign to provide support to LGBT youth. Our message is this: You are not alone. We have walked down the path you are walking now, and we know how it feels. And we can tell you, it WILL get better.
Nancy Sutley is Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality
