Dale Penny met with Secretary Jewel at Prince William Forest Park on April 25th.
SCA President Dale Penny met with Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis at Prince William Forest Park on Thursday, April 25th. Sec. Jewell and Dir. Jarvis convened stakeholders to examine ways to reconnect young people to nature. The following is a statement from Dale Penny on the session.
“The message from Secretary Jewell is clear and SCA is pleased to be part of it. In casting a spotlight on youth in the outdoors as her first public act at Interior, the Secretary demonstrated her commitment to this important issue. Strengthening our young people’s bonds with nature is paramount to the well-being of our land, our youth and our future. SCA stands ready to work with Secretary Jewell, National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis, and the greater conservation community to provide America’s young people with meaningful, transformative stewardship opportunities across our nation.
“With her extensive private sector background and personal passion for the outdoors, Secretary Jewell understands that our national parks, refuges and seashores are both rich inspirational assets and powerful economic engines. They are as deep in history as they are in opportunity. By utilizing these treasured places not as hands-off domains but as hands-on classrooms, together we can introduce a new generation to worlds of wonder where they can explore outdoor adventures, develop real career skills, and adopt more sustainable lifestyles.
“America’s natural and cultural sanctuaries are not only destinations ‘to get away from it all’ – they are go-to places for anyone concerned about our nation’s future prosperity. Expanding ways for young people to volunteer in, learn from, and launch careers on public lands will increase opportunity for all. As a national leader in youth service and stewardship for more than 50 years, SCA is committed to bolstering America’s Great Outdoors and the connection our youth enjoy to them.”