SEATTLE, WA – On Saturday, July 20, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will join 150 young people at Outdoor Nation's Signature Summit held at the University of Washington. This will be Jewell's first official trip to Washington State as Secretary of the Interior.
Outdoor Nation is a national initiative to empower youth to champion the outdoors on campuses and in communities across the United States. The two-day summit in Seattle will bring together young people to help find solutions to the challenges that keep youth from connecting with the outdoors. Jewell will offer remarks to the group and participate in breakout sessions.
“There is a growing divide between young people and the great outdoors,” said Jewell. “It's a problem that has far-reaching consequences, but it's one that we can do something about. I'm looking forward to hearing from these bright leaders as we discuss breaking down barriers that can keep young people from connecting to nature, getting outside, and getting active – including on our nation's public lands.”
“The Department of the Interior has a major role to play when it comes to engaging, educating and employing young people,” added Jewell. “Strengthening public-private partnerships, like the one we have with Outdoor Nation, is going to continue to be one of my top priorities in my role as Secretary.”
The Seattle visit builds on Jewell's commitment to youth programs in her first 100 days as Secretary. In May, Jewell announced more than $4 million in grants to support employment and mentoring opportunities for more than 600 young people on public lands across the country. She also traveled to New York City to launch the “National Parks of New York Harbor Conservation and Resiliency Corps,” a partnership with the city and the Student Conservation Association that will provide approximately 200 jobs for young people to participate in Hurricane Sandy recovery and clean-up efforts this year.
And in April she convened a meeting with stakeholders at Prince William Forest Park in Virginia to explore ways to leverage public-private partnerships at national parks to better connect youth and families to nature and outdoor recreation.
WHO:
U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell
WHAT:
Remarks at Outdoor Nation Signature Summit; Media Availability
WHEN:
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Remarks: 10:30am
Media Availability: 10:45am
WHERE:
University of Washington
Haggett Hall
354461 Whitman Court
Seattle, WA 98195
MEDIA:
Please RSVP no later than Friday, July 19 at 6:00pm EDT to Emily Beyer (emily_beyer@ios.doi.gov) with name, outlet and contact information.
Source: Department of Interior
