News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – OCTOBER 2, 2009

CONTACTS:
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE- KATHY KUPPER (202)208-6843
NATIONAL RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION- RICH DOLESH (202)887-0290
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE PARK DIRECTORS- PHIL MCKNELLY (919)676-8365

Connecting to Nature
Formal Partnership Established Among National, State, and Local Park Organizations

Looking for a way to improve your child’s mental and physical health? Look no further than your nearest
park or natural area.

“Numerous studies conclude that time spent in outdoor settings decreases stress, inspires creativity,
promotes social development, and encourages physical fitness,” said National Park Service Director Jon
Jarvis. “A new partnership among the National Park Service, the National Association of State Park
Directors, and the National Recreation and Park Association was recently formed to develop and promote
programs and policies in parks and other areas that connect children with nature.”

The partnership’s website, www.nps.gov/ChildrenInNature/BestPractices, contains a searchable database of

approximately 450 outdoor activities compiled from hundreds of national, state, and local parks and
program offices.

“This easy-to-use website contains an extensive list of programs about a wide variety of subjects including
archeology, art, prairies, pioneers, critters, and camping,” said Joe Elton, President of the National
Association of State Park Directors. “Nature is an amazing classroom, and these creative programs make it
fun for children to learn about and connect with the world around them.”

“The way children understand and experience their natural world has changed radically over the past
several decades,” said Lois Finkelman, chair of the National Recreation and Park Association Board of
Trustees. “Our three groups will work together to expand recreational opportunities and natural resource
education for children and families. In addition, we hope to engage other federal, state, local, tribal, and
non-government partners in the effort.”

Leaders of the three conservation organizations signed a partnership declaration which contains an action
plan to increase public awareness of local and national natural resources.

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