Today, Mark Udall joined the President at the White House for an important milestone in his 21st century conservation initiative, America ’s Great Outdoors (AGO), a plan to promote community-level stewardship of public lands and reconnect Americans to the outdoors. At the event, the administration unveiled a report that will guide the President’s initiative, focusing goals and actions around three main ideas: connecting all Americans to the outdoors, conserving and restoring our natural landscapes, and working with local stakeholders to protect our lands and waters.An avid outdoorsman, Udall is chairman of the National Parks Subcommittee of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and co-chairman of the bipartisan Senate Outdoor Recreation Caucus. He has actively engaged with Coloradans, administration officials and other stakeholders to promote the economic benefits of outdoor recreation and conservation, including attending an AGO public listening session with Coloradans in Golden in July 2010. More information on Senator Udall’s record on natural resources is available HERE.
“I welcome the President’s effort to fully engage Americans as partners in the stewardship of our public lands. This long-range plan will require close collaboration between local efforts and the federal government, and I look forward to partnering with the President to help connect Americans to the outdoors,” Udall said. “Coloradans understand that conserving our natural heritage isn’t just good for the view; it also shores up our state’s economy by fueling tourism and recreation, and providing the jobs that sustain our communities.”
Outdoor recreation contributes over $10 billion annually to Colorado 's economy and over $700 billion nationwide. “I'm glad to see this step toward a national dialogue on efforts we have already been implementing in Colorado ,” Udall continued.
