President Joe Biden issued a proclamation Tuesday recognizing June as Great Outdoors Month.
President Bill Clinton first recognized outdoor time with a dedicated week in 1998 that expanded to a month in 2008 under President George W. Bush.
Biden’s proclamation said the month was created to celebrate the nation’s natural wonders and rededicate Americans to conserving nature’s splendor.
“Our nation is blessed by an abundance of incredible outdoor spaces that provide opportunities for exploration, recreation, and rejuvenation,” Biden wrote. “From the Sierra Nevadas to the Ozark Trail to the Everglades — to local trails and parks in every part of the country — the outdoors inspire creativity, provide educational opportunities, and bring communities together.”
Biden noted the pandemic brought many Americans a greater appreciation for outdoor spaces’ role in physical and mental well-being. He wrote that the country must rise to meet challenges such as environmental degradation, climate change and inequitable access to nature.
“Ensuring that we maintain healthy ecosystems and a resilient planet is not just a matter of environmentalism,” he wrote. “It is also critical to our health, our safety, the security of our families, and the strength of our economy.”
The proclamation closed with the president’s directive to Americans.
“I urge all Americans to explore the great outdoors, to experience our nation’s natural heritage, and to continue our nation’s tradition of preserving and conserving our lands for future generations,” he wrote.
