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The anti-environmental wreckreation interests which last year attempted to rewrite the National Park management policies  and transform the National Parks into places of greater fun, are at it again. This time, however, they're partnering with the US Forest Service and using honey instead of a big stick. This time the danger is greater -- because this time almost no one will stand in their way.
The villains are the same. Their interests and objectives are the same. Their vehicle is motherhood, virginity and apple pie ... and exposing what the industry is attempting to do will be unusually
difficult.
I'd just add that their entire frame, while conceptually brilliant, is built upon a false presumption. In the appended article from today's Casper Star-Tribune I get the last word and with it, I do my best to stand in the American Recreation Coalition's way.
I'd sure appreciate some help from others within the conservation community,
because without help, the industry's vehicle will likely make some deep tracks.
Scott
--- begin quoted ---
'Kids in the Woods'
By BRODIE FARQUHAR
Star-Tribune correspondent
with wire reports Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Wyoming students will participate in a U.S. Forest Service program
designed to get kids out of the classroom and into the woods and
mountains.
The $1.5 million “Kids in the Woods” program, announced Tuesday in
Washington, D.C., is aimed at a growing problem among American school
children who lack direct experience with nature and the outdoors. Some
experts say this sedentary, hooked-on-electronics lifestyle contributes
to childhood obesity, diabetes and even attention deficit disorder.
Although some conservation groups are lined up in support of the
program, one environmentalist suspects that it has more to do with
commercial recreation interests than the welfare of children.
The grant program includes 24 projects in 15 states, mostly in the
West. More than 23,000 children are expected to participate in the
program, which is supported by a host of private groups, as well as
state, federal and local agencies.
In Wyoming, the Bridger-Teton and Medicine Bow-Routt national forests had their proposals approved for the initial program.
Based in Jackson, the “Healthy Kids, Healthy Watersheds” program draws
teenagers from the community to be educated on forest issues such as
invasive species, fisheries/clean water, wildlife, wilderness
management, water safety, trail use and repair, wildland fire and
stream restoration. Partners include the Snake River Fund, Friends of
Pathway, Latino Resource Center, Jackson Hole Ski Club, Teton County
School District and the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The cost of the
project is $36,000.
Based in Laramie, the Medicine Bow's “Live the Miracles of Nature”
program provides at-risk youth the opportunity to experience nature in
a quiet setting, where the emphasis is on learning, strengthening
self-esteem, and fostering a sense of overall well-being. Partners
include Big Brothers & Sisters, Psychology Clinic of Laramie and
the Albany County Department of Family Services. The cost of the
project is $27,000.
David Cernicek of the Bridger-Teton said he’s trying to target children
who probably don’t have many opportunities to get out into the woods.
He wants to use hikes and work projects for their educational
possibilities.
Steve Kozlowski of the Medicine Bow targets a similar audience, using
map and navigation skills during a long day-hike in the Snowy Range.
Future workers
The program also is intended to nurture future environmental scientists
and other Forest Service workers -- an acute need for an agency with a
graying work force, said Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell.
"We can help address troubling declines we see in the mental and
physical health of our children. At the same time, we can inspire
future conservation leaders, who can perpetuate the critical role
nature role forests play in the quality of life for Americans," Kimbell
said at a news conference Tuesday.
Author Richard Louv, whose book "Last Child in the Woods" helped draw
attention to the gap between kids and nature, applauded the Forest
Service program. Louv called nature as essential to children's health
as nutrition and adequate sleep.
"If kids are not going outside in nature, who in the world is going to
care about the spotted owl or any other endangered species?" he said.
Studies show a growing chasm between children and nature, which has led
to drops in physical and outdoor recreation. According to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, about two-thirds of young people,
grades 9-12, do not engage in recommended levels of physical activity.
Co-hosts for Tuesday's announcement event included the American
Recreation Coalition, the National Forest Foundation and
ReserveAmerica. The coalition represents commercial recreation
equipment and experience companies, from Disney to Bass.
That’s the problem with “Kids in the Woods,” according to Scott Silver
of Bend, Ore., and founder of Wild Wilderness, a conservation group
dedicated to fighting what Silver calls “industrialized recreation” in
the outdoors.
Silver said he has no problem with Louv’s core idea, but said the
problem with dwindling attendance at national parks, national forests
and other public lands may not be the kids themselves, but decisions
made over the years by public lands managers.
“Kids don’t decide where to go on vacation -- they don’t drive -- so
why is visitation down?” he asked. It might be better to ask why
parents aren’t taking their kids to national forests and parks, he
said, suggesting that entrance fees are more of a problem than video
games or television.
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- Activism 
