National Public Lands Day - Office of the Governor of Alabama

WHEREAS, America’s system of public lands includes parks, unique landscapes, forests, wildlife refuges, historic trails, natural streams and wetlands, nature centers, gardens and other landmark areas throughout the nation that individually and collectively represent irreplaceable national resources; and

WHEREAS, public lands provide locally accessible natural and cultural resources for environmental learning, wildlife appreciation and recreation; and

WHEREAS, public lands promote civic ideals that include shared stewardship and recognition of public ownership; and

WHEREAS, shared stewardship requires the goodwill, cooperation and active support of citizens, community, city and state officials, business leaders, children and adults; and

WHEREAS, assisting land managers improves public lands for outdoor recreation, provides families and individuals with an opportunity to lead a more active lifestyle and reduces the incidence of childhood obesity; and

WHEREAS, land conservation efforts improve urban residents access to public lands and work to break down barriers that prevent communities from actively enjoying the benefits of public lands; and

WHEREAS, an alliance between private citizens, land managers and community leaders improves the condition of publicly held lands for the greater enjoyment and enrichment of all Americans; and

WHEREAS, National Public Lands Day, co-sponsored by the National Environmental Education Foundation, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Park Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and USDA Forest Service, has become an annually anticipated event for local participation on publicly held lands in this great state of Alabama:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim September 24, 2011, as

National Public Lands Day

in the State of the Alabama and call upon citizens to recognize and participate in this special observance.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 22nd day of September 2011.

___Governor Robert Bentley