June is Great Outdoors Month. Get Out and Enjoy the Landscape

Great Outdoors Week was first proclaimed by President Clinton in 1997. In 2004 President Bush proclaimed Great Outdoors Month, and it has become an annual celebration every year. It helps to highlight the level of appreciation for the environment, the splendor of the parks, and the general physical wonderment about the great outdoors of the United States. In 2008 28 state governments and the president of the United States proclaimed June as Great Outdoors Week. As of April 2009 only 9 state governments have issued proclamations for Great Outdoors Month. As of May 1st there has not been an official proclamation from President Obama (President Bush made his last Presidential Great Outdoor Month Proclamation on June 2, 2008). I am sure that President Obama's proclamation will be worth the wait, if his speech to the Department of the Interior is of any indication.

The outdoor recreation industry is one of the largest economic activities with over 250 billion dollars spent annually. Even though the outdoor recreation industry is responsible for over $250 in annual expenditures, it still relies on volunteerism, it requires special attention from the public in order for people to realize how important the outdoor recreation industry is to the national economy, and the outdoor recreation requires special education programs for people to join in the debate how much respect peoples should have for the splendid natural habitats that exist in this country.

National Trails Day 2009 - June 6th is being sponsored by the American Hiking Society is to help people become more aware of the trails that exist around communities. The American Hiking Society is also responsible for sponsoring educational exhibits and other activities that help to increase people's awareness of the trails around them. The American Hiking Society also thanks volunteers, Government Agencies and Businesses that provide them with financial help to develop and maintain the trails in parks and other outdoor settings.

Great Outdoors Week 2009 - June 7 - 13 - Many outdoor activities will be organized by the American Recreation Coalition who will be organizing fishing, boating, For example in my area the local Fish and Game Organization organizes a fishing derby for children under the age of 12. There is a pond and a small creek that is stocked by the local Suny College Aquaculture Class and children can fish for trout for the day.

Get Outdoors Day 2009 - June 13. In 2008 there were over 60 events organized nationally to encourage people to enjoy active outdoor fun, visits to municipal parks, state parks and national parks. Such events such as fishing, boating, camping, hiking and other great outdoor activities will be highlighted in 2009.

On June 27th The National Wildlife Federation has declared it Great American Backyard Campout. This is an opportunity for everyone to enjoy camping in the outdoors, either for the first time, or to relive an experience that many of us enjoyed when we were younger.