Read OAK’s Environmental Stewardship Pillar
Environmental Stewardship, one of OAK’s three pillars, has two priority policy goals: 1) expand the federal, state, and local investment in programs that provide youth service jobs and an ethic of environmental stewardship, and 2) increase jobs, training, service, and volunteer opportunities in the outdoors in every community across America.
One of the key initiatives supported by OAK is the Administration’s 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC). Check out this great story of the inspiring work the 21CSC is completing.
Contact Alyssa to join the National Policy Action Team or the State and Local Action Team to get involved in developing and implementing OAK’s federal, state and local policy priorities.
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Great Outdoors America Week– June 23-26, 2014
There’s still time to register your organization to participate in OAK’s 2nd Annual Youth Event scheduled for June 25th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at Bladensburg Waterfront Park on the Anacostia River. If your organization would like to participate, please register by May 31st.
There are several other events and activities in the works for Great Outdoors America Week.
Warm Welcome to OAK’s Newest Partner Member!
O’Neill Sea Odyssey, based in Santa Cruz, California, operates an ocean based science program for schools that focuses on marine biology, ecology, and navigation. Thrilled to have them on board!
REMINDER: Submit your updated Partner Membership Application for 2014 The OAK Partner Membership Application for 2014 has been updated to help us better understand, share and utilize all of the unique gifts that each of OAK’s members brings to our shared vision. With the information we receive from you, we will build an asset map and that includes our state and local strengths to determine where we are best positioned to collaborate on the ground. We also hope to share your organizational resources, initiatives, events and opportunities, and will use your responses to better share information across OAK’s membership. We are also building a resource database for our ECHO Across America Toolkit, and we’d like to feature your resources. Please submit your updated application to Alyssa by May 16! |
YMCA of the USA, National League of Cities and the Department of the Interior announce partnership to connect youth outdoors to play, learn, serve and work!
“The millennial generation is more urban and diverse, but more disconnected from nature than any generation before,” said Secretary Jewell. “In a time of constrained resources, we need to work collaboratively with partners to engage the next generation in outdoor experiences. The National League of Cities and the YMCA have a long history working with communities and young people across the nation. With this trifecta, I’m excited about the possibilities to leverage our existing resources and our collective expertise to inspire millions of young Americans to play, learn, serve and work in the great outdoors.”
Congratulations to the YMCA of the USA! Read the full DOI Press Release.
ICYMI: OAK Members Have Been Blogging Your couch is far more dangerous than you think by Ben Klasky, President & CEO of IslandWood The Refraction Effect – NOLS shines light on leaders of color by National Outdoor Leadership School (photo by NOLS-Brad Christensen) Want to contribute to OAK’s blog or social media platforms? We want to hear from you. Submit your request now! |
National Prevention Strategy
OAK just decided to support the National Prevention Strategy, which is a national guide promoting the most effective and achievable means for improving health and wellness. Created in 2011 by the National Prevention Council, which is comprised of 20 federal departments and agencies, the Strategy prioritizes prevention by integrating recommendations and actions across multiple settings, including public health and environment, to improve health and save lives. The Strategy identifies four Strategic Directions, including Healthy and Safe Community Environments and seven targeted Priorities, including the Active Living Priority which highlights policies that the public and private sector can adopt, including:
- Adopt policies and programs that promote walking, bicycling, and use of public transportation;
- Encourage community design and development that facilitates access to safe, accessible, and affordable places for physical activity, such as sidewalks, bike lanes, adequate lighting, multi-use trails, walkways, and parks;
- Convene partners such as urban planners, architects, engineers, developers, transportation, law enforcement, and public health to consider health impacts when making transportation or land use decisions;and
- Provide daily physical education and recess that focuses on maximizing time physically active and support walk and bike to school programs, such as“Safe Routes to School”.
Want to learn more? Read the National Prevention Strategy.
Albuquerque’s newest Urban Wildlife Refuge is getting kids outdoors On April 24, 2014, Valle de Oro Urban Wildlife Refuge in Albuquerque hosted the Advancing Youth Environmental Education and Employment in the Middle Rio Grande Workshop. Several OAK members were in attendance: Children & Nature Network, the National Wildlife Federation, REI, Sierra Club, The Wilderness Society, and Trust for Public Land. Valle de Oro and the US Fish and Wildlife Service are aiming to create model partnerships in youth engagement effors in the Alburquerque area and OAK members are getting involved. Stay tuned as this partnership unrolls over the next few months. If your organization has a presence in or near Albuquerque, be sure to let Alyssa know so we can include you in OAK’s efforts. |
OAK Events Calendar
May 2014 | National Bike Month/National Fitness Month |
May 17, 2014 | National Park Trust's Kids to Parks Day |
June 7, 2014 | National Trails Day (American Hiking Society) |
June 23-26, 2014 | Great Outdoors America Week |
June 25, 2014 - 9:00am - 12:00pm ET | OAK Youth Outdoors Event |
Is your organization hosting a conference or event that you would like featured on OAK’s event calendar? Submit your request now!
OAK Calls/Meeting Schedule
May 8 - 2:00 -3:00pm ET | OAK Second Quarter Partner Call |
May 13 - 3:30 - 4:30pm ET | ECHO Presentation Call |
May 14 - 4:00 - 5:00pm ET (repeats monthly, 2nd Wednesdays) | Next National Policy Action Team Call |
June 10 - 3:30 - 4:30pm ET (repeats monthly, 2nd Tuesdays) | Next State & Local Action Team Call |
September 8 - 10:00am - 4:00pm ET | OAK Annual Partner Membership Meeting in DC |
September 9 - 9:00am - 5:00pm ET | OAK Advocacy Day in DC |