WHEREAS, Idahoans have the opportunity to participate in a variety of recreational activities from whitewater rafting and hiking to camping and fishing; and

        WHEREAS, outdoor activities contribute to the physical well-being and happiness of the people of the state; and

        WHEREAS, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is dedicated to protecting our wildlife heritage and the mission of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is “To improve the quality of life in Idaho through outdoor recreation and resource stewardship;” and

        WHEREAS, resource stewardship is not possible without a strong sense of connection to the natural world; and

        WHEREAS, Idaho recognizes the troubling trend of disconnection called “nature deficit,” where children spend on average six and a half hours each day engaged in electronic media such as video games and television, and are spending half as much time outdoors as they did just 20 years ago; and

        WHEREAS, Idaho is committed to finding solutions to reverse the “nature deficit” trend in Idaho by reconnecting children to the great outdoors through outdoor youth programming, opportunities for recreation on public lands and environmental and natural resource education; and

        WHEREAS, in 2008 we celebrate the centennial of state parks in Idaho; and

        WHEREAS, Idaho is committed to accommodating changing recreational needs and growing populations in parks such as Eagle Island, where we are creating a new kind of urban park with recreational amenities such as kayaking, camping, horseback riding and nature study; and

        WHEREAS, Eagle Island State Park is one of many examples where the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game are partners in helping Idahoans enjoy the great outdoors; and

        WHEREAS, June 9 is Free Fishing Day in Idaho; and

        WHEREAS, outdoor recreation is a major contributor to tourism, Idaho’s third-largest industry;

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, C.L. “BUTCH” OTTER, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim June to be

GREAT OUTDOORS MONTH

in Idaho, and I invite citizens to observe this month by taking advantage of the many opportunities our state offers for family outdoor recreation activities.
 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this 30th day of May in the year of our Lord two-thousand and eight and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-second and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred eighteenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE