RELEASE: OAK Praises Nomination of Sally Jewell as Secretary of the Interior

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Contact: Jackie Ostfeld, Sierra Club, 202-548-6584

The Outdoors Alliance for Kids Praises Nomination of Sally Jewell as Secretary of the Interior

 Washington, DC – Today, President Obama nominated REI CEO Sally Jewell as the next US Secretary of the Interior.

Statement of the Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK)

“Sally Jewell has been a steadfast champion for connecting children with nature. Under Jewell’s leadership, REI was an early supporter and co-founder of the Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK). The commitment of Jewell and her company to improving access and opportunities for children and communities to explore and enjoy the natural world is extraordinary. Jewell and REI have provided critical support to many of OAK’s member organizations including Sierra Club’s Inner City Outings programs, the Children & Nature Network’s Nature Clubs for Families and Natural Leaders Network, Outdoor Nation and the YMCA’s Boys and Girls Outdoor Leadership Programs.

President Obama has chosen a leader with a firm commitment to connecting children with our great outdoors. OAK looks forward to working closely with Jewell to ensure that children, youth and families have every opportunity to learn in the natural world, improve their physical and mental health through outdoor play and recreation, and increase their civic engagement with environmental stewardship.

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About the Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK): OAK is a national strategic partnership of organizations from diverse sectors with a common interest in expanding opportunities for children, youth and families to connect with the outdoors. The members of OAK are brought together by the belief that the well-being of current and future generations, the health of our planet and communities and the economy of the future depend on humans having a personal, direct and life-long relationship with nature and the outdoors. OAK brings together more than fifty national organizations including the American Heart Association, Children & Nature Network, Izaak Walton League of America, National Association of State Park Directors, National Recreation and Park Association, National Wildlife Federation, The North Face, the Outdoor Foundation, REI, Sierra Club, and the YMCA of the USA to address the growing divide between children and the natural world. Find out more on our website: www.outdoorsallianceforkids.org