< All Press Releases

Representatives from the BLM-Eastern States and non-governmental partners signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) on February 8, 2011 at the U.S. Department of Interior.The Diverse Youth Outings Program actively supports Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar's “Youth in the Great Outdoors" initiative, announced in February of 2010. The signing of the new MOU signifies the partners' commitment to provide further opportunities for diverse youth to connect with nature, and to learn about their relationship with the natural world. Partners in the MOU are: The Sierra Club, Bureau of Land Management - Eastern States (BLM-ES), Cesar Chavez Schools, League of United Latin American Citizens National Educational Service Centers, National Latino Coalition on Climate Change, and the National Hispanic Environmental Council.Last year, children from underserved communities in the Washington D.C. area participated in a series of Diverse Youth Outings at the Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area in Lorton, VA. With the success of the 2010 Diverse Youth Outings Pilot Project, the next goal will be to expand the program by sharing the BLM Eastern State's outings with the BLM nationwide. The program may be used as a model for other states to follow as we strive to develop the next generation of public land stewards. Julie Rodriguez, Youth Director at the US Department of Interior, said “As long as we continue to provide these opportunities, more and more youth will take it upon themselves to go outside and take advantage of the recreational activities found on our public lands. Connecting youth to the land today will build a workforce for tomorrow, and ensure that our natural resources will be managed as assets that increase in value.For more information about the Diverse Youth Outings Program please visit: http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/res/Education_in_BLM/Learning_Landscapes.html