funoutdoors.com - Recreation Exchange

White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley Speaks at Recreation Exchange

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:47:31 -0400

July 20, 2011 (Washington, D.C.) - The Honorable Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), was the special guest at the Great Outdoors Month Recreation Exchange on June 16, 2011 hosted by the American Recreation Coalition in Washington, D.C. Exchanges featuring guests who are influencing recreation public policy in America have been held since 1979.

Ms. Sutley serves as the principal environmental policy adviser to the President of the United States. CEQ coordinates Federal environmental efforts and works closely with agencies and other White House offices in the development of environmental policies and initiatives. CEQ works to balance environmental, economic, and social objectives in pursuit of "productive harmony" between humans and the human environment. Chair Sutley was one of the four Cabinet-rank leaders tapped by President Barack Obama to lead his America's Great Outdoors (AGO) initiative and, in fact, CEQ played a central coordinating role in the planning and conducting of extensive public involvement and the preparation of the report to the President in February 2011. Chair Sutley was named a co-recipient of the 2011 Sheldon Coleman Great Outdoors Award for her leadership efforts on behalf of the AGO.

Top federal agency representatives and recreation community leaders gathered in the South Interior Building auditorium to hear Chair Sutley's remarks on the AGO initiative and for the presentation of ARC's 2011 Legends Awards. Chair Sutley began the discussion by touching on her recent trip to Newark, New Jersey, where she helped open an area urban park. She recounted her experience at the park, remarking that it was a surprise to “feel peace and serenity in a park in [such] a rough area.” The opportunity to enjoy nature must be made available to Americans – eighty percent of whom now live in cities and suburbs. Chair Sutley pointed out that, accordingly, urban parks must be made a priority. If we do not “protect, restore and link these special places” – like the park in Newark – we risk raising a generation of Americans who have no connection to nature, she said.

USACE Chief of Operations Speaks at Recreation Exchange

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:48:37 -0400

June 1, 2011 (Washington, D.C.) - Mike Ensch, Chief of Operations for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), was the special guest speaker at the Recreation Exchange on May 19, 2011 hosted by the American Recreation Coalition in Washington, D.C. Exchanges featuring guests who are influencing recreation public policy in America have been held since 1979.

Mr. Ensch has been Chief of Operations for the Corps’ Directorate of Civil Works since November 2007. He oversees key national programs including Operations and Maintenance of Navigation (locks, dams, channels, and harbors), Hydropower (facilities with a combined electrical-production capacity that is the largest in the U.S.), Environmental Stewardship (natural resources and recreation), and Regulatory (wetland protection, including Section 404 and Section 10 permits). Mr. Ensch also serves as the Regional Integration Team Leader for the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division of the Corps.

Mr. Ensch began the discussion by touching on the flood situation along the Mississippi River. Had it not been for the Corps-managed levee system, he said, the Mississippi River would be 80 miles wide at Vicksburg, Mississippi, as it was in pre-levee 1927. While Corps maintenance and management of our nation’s infrastructure is crucial – as evidenced by the events of May – recreation is also a priority of the organization. Mr. Ensch utilized the Recreation Exchange to describe the Corps' new recreation strategy, which will facilitate Corps efforts to continue its role as the nation’s largest public provider of places and opportunities for active recreation and healthy lifestyles. A primary goal of the strategy is engaging current and new partners to ensure quality and safe outdoor recreation opportunities.

USDA Forest Chief Tom Tidwell Speaks at ARC March 24, 2011 Recreation Exchange

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:41:58 -0400

USDA Forest Chief Tom Tidwell Speaks at ARC Recreation Exchange

March 25, 2011 (Washington, D.C.) - Tom Tidwell, Chief of the USDA Forest Service, was the special guest speaker at the Recreation Exchange on March 24, 2011 hosted by the American Recreation Coalition in Washington, D.C.

Exchanges have featured guests who are influencing recreation public policy in America near-monthly since 1979.

As Chief of the Forest Service, Mr. Tidwell leads the agency responsible for the management of 193 million acres of national forests and national grasslands. These lands provide an amazing diversity of outdoor recreation opportunities, connecting people with nature in an unmatched variety of settings and activities and hosting some 200 million recreation visits to national forests annually.

The Chief has spent 33 years with the Forest Service, serving in a variety of positions at all levels of the agency. As Supervisor of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest during the XIX Olympic Winter Games in 2002, he helped showcase the role of the national forests in alpine skiing. As Deputy Regional Forester for the Pacific Southwest Region, he facilitated collaborative approaches to wildland fire management, roadless area management, and other issues. As Regional Forester for the Northern Region, he strongly supported community-based collaboration in the region, finding solutions based on mutual goals and thereby reducing the number of appeals and lawsuits.

In 2009, after being named Chief, Mr. Tidwell set about implementing Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack's vision for America's forests. Under his leadership, the Forest Service is focusing on restoring healthy, resilient forest and grassland ecosystems — ecosystems that can sustain all the benefits that Americans get from their wildlands, including plentiful supplies of clean water, abundant habitat for wildlife and fish, renewable supplies of wood and energy, and more.

Mr. Tidwell has facilitated an all-lands approach to addressing the challenges facing America's forests and grasslands, including the overarching challenge of climate change. Such challenges cross borders and boundaries; no single entity can meet them alone. The Forest Service is now working with states, Tribes, private landowners, and other partners for landscape-scale conservation — to restore ecosystems on a landscape scale.

The Chief shared with Recreation Exchange participants the importance recreation has had on his personal life. He told of his experiences growing up in Idaho, noting that he regarded the Boise National Forest as his backyard. He also talked of the change in his camping — from backpacking to reliance on more hard-sided accommodations to help his family feel safe in grizzly country. His own experiences prompted his personal interest in promoting the outdoors to youth. “I worry about our youth not having these experiences,” he said. “We want the youth of today to explore their outdoors and forests and to be comfortable and safe.” He also described skiing the downhill course at the Winter Olympics the day prior to competition.

He addressed key issues and activities, including the Obama Administration's America's Great Outdoors (AGO) Initiative and the Forest Service's proposed Planning Rule as well as current and potential partnerships with the recreation community. He emphasized the value of recreation in the national forests to the nation in terms of jobs and the economy — at least $14.5 billion, or more than half of the total contribution of the Forest Service to GDP — and health, saying, “Recreation is a major part of our role in managing the 193 million acres of forests and grasslands. We recognize the full value of recreation to the nation and communities, such as economic and employment opportunities, and healthy lifestyles.”

Recreation Exchanges

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:31:38 -0500

MARCH 2011 RECREATION EXCHANGE
Special Guest: Tom Tidwell, Chief, U.S. Forest Service,U.S. Department of Agriculture

DATE/TIME:     Thursday, March 24, 2011; 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

PLACE:         Bobby Van’s Grill
               1201 New York Avenue, NW
               Washington, D.C.
                        
COST:          $60 per person for non-Recreation Exchange subscribers      

RSVP:          By 4:00 pm on Tuesday, March 22 to (202) 682-9530 or cahern@funoutdoors.com

The American Recreation Coalition is delighted to welcome Tom Tidwell, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, as the special guest at its March 2011 Recreation Exchange. As Chief of the Forest Service, Mr. Tidwell leads the agency responsible for the management of 193 million acres of national forests and national grasslands. These public lands provide an amazing diversity of outdoor recreation opportunities, connecting people with nature in an unmatched variety of settings and activities. Be sure to join us on March 24 as Chief Tidwell shares his thoughts on key issues and activities, including the Obama Administration’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative, the Forest Service’s proposed Planning Rule and recently released Framework for Sustainable Recreation, as well as budgets, fees, and current and potential partnerships with the recreation community. Call ARC at (202) 682-9530 or e-mail cahern@funoutdoors.com by 4:00 pm on Tuesday, March 22 to let us know your plans.

2010 Legends Awards

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:31:46 -0400

Secretary Vilsack with 2010 Legends Award winners representing six federal agencies

Secretary Vilsack

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:17:12 -0400

Secretary Vilsack addresses the crowd at the June 2010 Recreation Exchange

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack discusses AGO Initiative, praises outdoor recreation leaders at June Recreation Exchange

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:30:17 -0400

Tom Vilsack, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was the special guest at the June 2010 Recreation Exchange, hosted by the American Recreation Coalition (ARC). Top federal agency representatives and recreation enthusiasts gathered on Agriculture’s Whitten Patio to hear the Secretary’s remarks about the Obama Administration’s America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) Initiative and for the presentation of ARC’s 2010 Legends Awards.

Harris Sherman, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and the Environment, introduced the Secretary and praised his key role in implementing President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative. Mr. Sherman recognized the importance of outdoor recreation, particularly its ability to connect people to the environment, its contribution to the health of Americans, and its economic importance. He also noted that the upcoming National Get Outdoors Day (GO-Day) – which introduces children and families, many of them first-time public land users, to fun outdoor activities and outdoor recreation skills – was a prime example of the great work that can be accomplished through partnerships between land management agencies and non-governmental organizations, and he cited GO-Day as a wonderful way to connect people to their local national forests.

Will Shafroth at April 2010 Recreation Exchange

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 12:44:40 -0400

DOI Deputy Assistant Secretary Will Shafroth responds to questions at Recreation Exchange

Mickey Fearn promotes new era of outreach and communication for National Park Service

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:00:38 -0400

Mickey Fearn, The National Park Service’s (NPS) Deputy Director for Communications and Community Assistance, was the guest speaker at the March 2010 Recreation Exchange hosted by the American Recreation Coalition. Mr. Fearn has responsibility for NPS Communications, Public Affairs, Strategic Planning, Tribal Relations, International Affairs, Partnerships, Legislative and Congressional Affairs, Policy, State and Local Assistance Programs and Information Technology. His updated title and expanded role emphasize a new focus at NPS on outreach and communications efforts, especially to groups currently underrepresented among park visitors.

Prior to coming to NPS, Mr. Fearn played key roles in the Seattle city government. His accomplishments included creation of a Seattle Parks and Recreation Summer Youth Program connecting urban youth to the natural world while promoting personal responsibility and healthy lifestyles. In Seattle, he served as Manager of the City of Seattle Race and Social Justice Initiative, Director of the City's Innovation Project, and Director of Seattle's Neighborhood Leadership Program. Mr. Fearn also served as a Washington State Parks and Recreation Commissioner for 12 years. Prior to his time in Seattle, he worked for the Governor of California, the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Mayor of Oakland, California.

March 2010 Recreation Exchange

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 10:42:02 -0400

NPS Deputy Director Mickey Fearn addresses March 2010 Recreation Exchange

Gina McCarthy connects clean air, children and outdoor recreation at September Recreation Exchange

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:56:42 -0400

Gina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was the guest speaker at the September 2009 Recreation Exchange hosted by the American Recreation Coalition. In her role at EPA, Ms. McCarthy is a leading national advocate for win-win strategies to confront climate change and strengthen the nation's green economy, and she plays an instrumental role in ensuring that EPA leads the way in addressing the nation's most urgent environmental priorities.

Ms. McCarthy expressed a commitment to infusing her love of the great outdoors into her new post at EPA. She credits her passion for environmental protection to long hours spent playing outdoors, both as a child and as an adult. “I’ve never stopped playing and I never will!” she proudly proclaimed.

September 2009 Recreation Exchange

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:56:01 -0400

Gina McCarthy addresses Recreation Exchange in front of Great Outdoors Month proclamations

Jay Jensen presents vision for the Forest Service at August Recreation Exchange

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:18:54 -0400

Jay Jensen, Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was the guest speaker at the August 2009 Recreation Exchange hosted by the American Recreation Coalition. In this position, Mr. Jensen has policy responsibility for the U.S. Forest Service, which manages 193 million acres of National Forest System lands and provides assistance to more than 10 million family-forest landowners. The Natural Resources and Environment mission area includes the Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, which is the federal agency with primary responsibility for working with private landowners in conserving, maintaining and improving their natural resources.

Mr. Jensen spoke about Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack's national vision for America's forests, the Forest Service's use of economic stimulus funds, the importance of concessioners and partnerships to the mission of the Forest Service and more. He told the group that Secretary Vilsack is committed to reconnecting the American public to the land, and is leading the Department of Agriculture with the vision "USDA: Every day, every way." The Secretary plans to reconnect people to the land through the frames of climate and water. People today, particularly children, largely lack an understanding of where their food and water originate, putting little thought into the source of their food other than the grocery store. It is vital to reconnect people to their public lands, Mr. Jensen said. "The key way to reconnect people to their lands is through recreation, and you all are a powerful part of this platform," Mr. Jensen told the group. He touted the importance of urban forests, especially those near city centers, noting that 75% of visitors to national forests travel less than 100 miles to the forests they visit. “These urban forests are the gateways to connecting people to the land,” he said.

2009 August Recreation Exchange

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:06:46 -0400

Jay Jensen with Glen Schorr of the US Orienteering Federation

ARC Executive Committee with Congressman Joe Donnelly

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:26:13 -0500

L to R: Richard Coon, President, Recreation Vehicle Industry Association; Congressman Donnelly; Thom Dammrich, President, National Marine Manufacturers Association; Mike Molino, President, Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association