Highlighted Projects

America's Great Outdoors takes as its premise that lasting conservation solutions should rise from the American people — that the protection of our natural heritage is a non-partisan objective shared by all Americans. The locally supported outdoor projects identified in this report aim to reconnect Americans to the natural world through parks, trails, and rivers and to conserve and restore working lands and wildlife habitat. The projects will also create jobs through travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation activities. Since the number of ideas received far exceeded what we are able to put in this report, those listed are intended to be a first set of projects on which the Department of Interior can partner with states and communities to make America’s Great Outdoors a reality. In future years, we hope to expand our partnership with states, communities, and stakeholders.“The America’s Great Outdoors program plays a key role in strengthening our nation’s economy, with tourism and outdoor recreation serving as huge economic engines in local communities,” said Salazar. “We have accomplished much, but there is much yet to be done, and today’s action will help to ensure that the vision of supporting locally-led conservation initiatives will endure at Interior.”