A year ago the President of the United States invited AW and other leaders in public land stewardship to DC.  He formally kicked off the America's Great Outdoors Initiative (AGO).  His question was simple: how can the federal goverment do a better job of protecting our natural landscapes and encouraging their enjoyment?

Since that initial meeting the government has hosted listening sessions across the country that were well attended by the paddling community.  In addition, the Outdoor Alliance hosted numerous homegrown listening sessions around the country to gather more detailed thoughts from the human powered outdoor recreation community.  We have recently published the Homegrown Listening Session Report and would like to thank all our members that attended them. 

The primary questions of the Administration's listening sessions were:

• Challenges - What obstacles exist to achieving your goals for conservation, recreation, or reconnecting people to the outdoors?
• What Works - Please share your thoughts and ideas on effective strategies for conservation, recreation and reconnecting people to the outdoors.
• Federal Government Role  - How can the federal government be a more effective partner in helping to achieve conservation, recreation or reconnecting people to the outdoors?
• Tools - What additional tools and resources would help your efforts be even more successful?

This effort marks a rare opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts like paddlers to share their ideas with the government about how they could do a better job. American Whitewater and Outdoor Alliance both added general comments to the government's comment page. Check them out and VOTE FOR THEM.

American Whitewater Ideas

Challenges
http://ideas.usda.gov/ago/ideas.nsf/0/58BA8FE128E394FA86257790006E64D7

What Works
http://ideas.usda.gov/ago/ideas.nsf/0/234CF72B1B7F6A5486257790006E8901

Federal Government Role
http://ideas.usda.gov/ago/ideas.nsf/0/5CB2C66E68B4142E86257790006EB57B

Tools
http://ideas.usda.gov/ago/ideas.nsf/0/70A79022399C196B86257790006ED318

Outdoor Alliance Ideas

Challenges
http://ideas.usda.gov/ago/ideas.nsf/0/7B79DE7B717EBB158625778B00161ADE

What Works
http://ideas.usda.gov/ago/ideas.nsf/0/6AD27AEB4F2D16C68625778B0016C26A

Federal Government Role
http://ideas.usda.gov/ago/ideas.nsf/0/126EEC5FA3C729B18625778B0017984D

Tools
http://ideas.usda.gov/ago/ideas.nsf/0/5026DF1E781F69D08625778B00183084

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