National Public Lands Day

Proclamation
By 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, recreation opportunities offered by public lands help families lead a more active lifestyle and reduce the incidence of childhood obesity; and

WHEREAS, land conservation efforts improve access to public lands by urban residents and work to break down the barriers that prevent Americans from actively utilizing their public lands; and

WHEREAS, a collaboration among state and local residents, 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 is the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands and is coordinated 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 U.S. Forest Service serve as national partners. The event 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 27, 2015, as

National Public Lands Day

in the State of Alabama.

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 1st day of September 2015.

Robert Bentley
Governor