On April 16, 2010, President Obama established the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative to develop a conservation and recreation agenda for the 21st century. The President understands that efforts for protecting and restoring the lands and waters that we love and reconnecting people to the outdoors must be community driven. For this reason, he has called upon senior government officials to host a series of public listening sess...ions in a range of locations across the country.

Young people play a critical role in shaping our country’s environmental future. In his memorandum establishing the America’s Great Outdoors initiative, President Obama asked that, “special attention…be given to bringing young Americans into the conversation.” We want to engage you in this conversation from the beginning, and ensure that your voices are heard in the end.

In late August, the leaders of the America’s Great Outdoors initiative are coming to Chicago to hear from you. Please join us for a public listening session at Northwestern University on August 31st.

Time: 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Where: Prentice Women's Hospital
250 East Superior Street - Room L
Chicago, IL 60611

This event is hosted by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Council on Environmental Quality.

Prior to this session, there will be the general America’s Great Outdoors Listening Session. Youth are encouraged to come to the general listening session from 8:30am-12:30pm in the Thorne Auditorium at Northwestern University.

To ensure that we have sufficient space for everyone, we encourage you to let us know by Friday, August 27th if you are able to attend one or both of these listening sessions. You can do so by sending your name, email address, and telephone number via email to RSVPYouthAGO@hhs.gov. We will contact you if we reach capacity.

If you have questions, please contact RSVPYouthAGO@hhs.gov.