A 21st Century Strategy for America's Great Outdoors

This memorandum establishes the America's Great Outdoors Initiative, led by Interior, Agriculture, EPA, and CEQ, to reconnect Americans—especially children—with nature through community-based conservation, public-private partnerships, and interagency coordination. It mandates listening sessions across the country and requires three reports: an initial strategy report by November 15, 2010, and annual progress reports by September 30, 2011 and 2012.

Federal Register Open PDF 75 FR 20767

Impact dates

Sep 30, 2012
Second annual progress report on implementing action plan
Nov 15, 2010
Report on America's Great Outdoors due (includes review of conservation approaches, federal resource analysis, proposed strategies, and action plan)

Key directives

Establish America's Great Outdoors Initiative led by Interior, Agriculture, EPA, and CEQ
Conduct listening and learning sessions nationwide with diverse stakeholders
Submit report on conservation strategies and action plan by November 15, 2010
Submit annual progress reports by September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2012
Align policies and programs across eight additional agencies

Timeline

Immediate

Establishment of America's Great Outdoors Initiative
Initiative leadership designated

Near term (90d)

Listening and learning sessions conducted nationwide
Interagency coordination to identify and align existing resources

Long term

Implementation of action plan for conservation and outdoor recreation
Annual reporting through 2012
Sustained interagency coordination on conservation goals

Risks & tensions

Subject to availability of appropriations may limit implementation
Non-enforceable per Section 3(b) creates no legal rights
Coordination across 12 agencies may create bureaucratic friction
Report deadlines span across potential administration change in 2012