U.S. Department of the Interior USDA: Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623
DOI: Mario H. Lopez (202) 208-6416 PIONEERING 3,000-MILE TREK HIGHLIGHTS PUBLIC LANDS HERITAGE Teams to Highlight Public Service and Volunteerism in Nationwide Education Campaign that Concludes In Salt Lake City on National Public Lands Day WASHINGTON, July 31, 2002 - Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman and Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton today joined National Geographic Society CEO and President John Fahey and other partners to launch the American Frontiers: A Public Lands Journey. The two-month long journey is the first trek ever made entirely on U.S. public lands and begins simultaneously today with one team departing from Montana and the other from New Mexico, ending on September 28th - National Public Lands Day -- in Salt Lake City, Utah. The trek will consist of two teams of adventurers and include a firefighter, two teachers, outdoor enthusiasts, a reporter, registered nurse, and a retired Marine. The teams will cover nearly 3,000 miles, crossing six states and 14 national forests, by foot, horseback, mountain bike, canoe, SUV and boat. Their story will be shared along the way by video-phones and through and interactive Internet web-site located at http://www.americanfrontiers.net. An important component of the trek will be to reach out to local communities and schools in order to inform all Americans, particularly the nation's youth, about public lands. A series of regional events and classroom discussions with students will take place in select communities throughout the trek, which will also highlight the importance of volunteerism and public service. "The volunteer participants in this trek exemplify the spirit of adventure and the commitment to service that have made this country so great," said Norton. "Through their journey, we hope to highlight the vastness and beauty of our public lands which exist in every state and cover one-third of our nation's surface." "The participants on this journey are volunteers and public servants who are embarking on a unique adventure to tell an important American story," said Veneman. "This nation's public lands offer many opportunities in terms of education and natural beauty. Through this partnership, we hope to inspire more visitors to our national forests and parks." Public lands protect ecosystems and play a role in our country's defense. They are a tremendous source for clean air, water and open space, and they provide important resources such as coal, gas, oil, forage and timber. "These lands provide important benefits to all of us, from wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation to minerals, food and fiber, as well as mental and spiritual renewal," said Lisa Madsen, executive director of the Public Lands Interpretive Association. "Most importantly, they are available for all of us to enjoy, if we care for them properly as good stewards." Veneman and Norton highlighted that the trek supports two important initiatives launched by President George W. Bush - USA Freedom Corps and the Healthier US Initiative. The President's Healthier US Initiative uses the resources of the federal government to alert Americans to the vital health benefits of simple and modest improvements in physical activity, nutrition and behavior. USA Freedom Corps works with key service agencies in government and the nonprofit sector to provide incentives and new opportunities to promote public service and volunteerism for American citizens who want to serve at home and abroad. More information can be found at The trek is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Public Lands Interpretive Association, National Geographic Society, Kodak, Honda, as well as other public-private sponsors. -DOI- U.S. Department of the Interior |