H.C.R. 7 Enrolled

1

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING PUBLIC
2 POLICIES THAT PROMOTE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR
3 CHILDREN
4 2011 GENERAL SESSION
5 STATE OF UTAH
6 Chief Sponsor: Jack R. Draxler
7 Senate Sponsor: Patricia W. Jones
8
9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor supports increased
12 participation by children in outdoor activities and supports policies that promote
13 outdoor activities for children.
14 Highlighted Provisions:
15 This resolution:
16 . expresses support for increased participation by children in outdoor activities and
17 supports policies that promote outdoor activities for Utah's children.
18 Special Clauses:
19 None
20
21 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
22 WHEREAS, Utah is home to a wealth of high quality and beautiful natural resources
23 that offer a wide range of incomparable lands for recreational opportunities for all Utah
24 residents;
25 WHEREAS, Utah's national and state parks, national forests, range lands, rivers, lakes,
26 and deserts provide areas to walk, hunt, fish, kayak, raft, climb, ski, bike, run, and snowmobile;
27 WHEREAS, over the past decade participation in outdoor pursuits and activities has
28 been on the decline;
29 WHEREAS, participation in these activities is a major contributor to Utah's economy;

30 WHEREAS, there are also concerns that many of our younger generation are becoming
31 disconnected from nature;
32 WHEREAS, youth are shunning the great outdoors in favor of sedentary activities;
33 WHEREAS, numerous studies have shown that there are many health, physical,
34 emotional, and educational benefits to playing in and experiencing Utah's outdoors;
35 WHEREAS, outdoor experiences are critical components to the development of the
36 next generation of Utah's conservation stewards and recreationists;
37 WHEREAS, childhood obesity rates in Utah and the nation are epidemic and outdoor
38 activities can be an effective means to combating this major health concern;
39 WHEREAS, Utahns should work together to help create a healthy environment that
40 will not threaten outdoor activities through effective policy and public awareness;
41 WHEREAS, every child in Utah should have the opportunity to visit a national park, sit
42 beneath a tree that is at least 100 years old, boat a river, climb a mountain, cook dinner over a
43 campfire, go fishing, hike a trail, plant a native flower, shrub, or tree, listen to a spring bird
44 song or chorus of frogs, gaze at the stars, and follow animal tracks in the snow; and
45 WHEREAS, it is through these and many other activities that Utahns can feel and pass
46 on to the next generation a connection with nature that refreshes the body, mind, and soul for
47 facing life's challenges and opportunities:
48 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
49 Governor concurring therein, express support for increased participation by children in outdoor
50 activities and support policies that promote outdoor activities for Utah's children.
51 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Utah
52 Department of Natural Resources, the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, the Utah
53 State Office of Education, the Utah Department of Health, the Utah League of Cities and
54 Towns, and the Utah Association of Counties.