Obama’s ‘Great Outdoors Initiative’ listening session

People interested in helping to develop a new, nationwide conservation policy and finding better ways to connect the public to the great outdoors are invited to attend a meeting June 2 in Helena. The meeting is one of many taking place throughout the United States as part of President Barack Obama’s “America’s Great Outdoors Initiative,” which was unveiled in April. Obama directed representatives of the Department of Interior, the Department of Agriculture and the White House Council on Environmental Quality to go to communities like Helena and learn from the public what is happening on the ground and what needs to happen. They’re hoping to hear from tribal leaders, farmers, ranchers, sportsmen and women, community park groups, foresters, youth groups, business people, educators, state and local government and recreation and conservation groups — and just about anyone else with an opinion or idea — at the sessions. Generally, four topics will be included at the sessions: what are new land conservation strategies and obstacles; how to better connect people with the outdoors and obstacles; how the federal government can work better with local public and private recreation groups; and what can make current efforts more successful...more