Presidential Memorandum on Diversity and Inclusion
Just before leaving office, President Obama issued a memorandum to promote diversity and inclusion in the management of our National Parks, National Forests, and other public lands and waters. The purpose of this memorandum is to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to experience and enjoy our public lands and waters, that all segments of the population have the chance to engage in decisions about how our lands and waters are managed, and that our Federal workforce is drawn from the rich range of the diversity in our country.

Nationwide Inventory of Parks
 A new report, Completing America's Inventory of  Public Parks and Protected Areas (November 2016), sets out a three year plan to complete the Protected Areas Database of the U.S. (PAD-US), the official national inventory of every public park and protected natural area in the United States. The data is expected to help reduce chronic disease through outdoor exercise, boost outdoor recreation opportunities, safeguard at-risk wildlife and habitat, support job and economic development, encourage more use of local, regional and larger parks for all people, and advance other U.S. needs and policies.

Welcome to Isabel Argoti - Every Kid in a Park Fellow!

OAK is pleased to introduce you to Isabel Argoti, a new Fellow housed with the National Park Service in partnership with OAK and Conservation Legacy to help advance the Every Kid in a Park program to get fourth graders outdoors! "After graduating from the University of Virginia in 2016, I interned with the National Park Service in Colorado focused on communications and urban outreach. Since finishing up and moving back home, I am happy to rejoin NPS as the Every Kid in a Park and OAK Community Assistance Fellow. Originally born in Ecuador, I grew up and live in Montgomery County, Maryland. I have a passion for youth and education being a first generation college student myself. With the park service, I hope to reach more underrepresented audiences through my local connections and expand the outreach both NPS and OAK has to offer." Isabel can be reached at isabel_argoti@nps.gov. Welcome Isabel - we are glad to have you on our team! 

Kids to Parks Day National School Contest
Kids to Parks Day is a nationwide grassroots movement to celebrate America's parks and public lands. The National Park Trust is hosting the Kids to Parks Day National School Contest to help educators engage and empower their students to create and plan their own park experience! This national contest is open to all Title 1 schools and other school groups. Scholarships of up to $1,000 will be awarded to winning entries! Apply today!

Children & Nature Network International Conference
Registration is open for the 2017 Children & Nature Network International Conference and Summit in Vancouver, BC, Canada, April 18-21, 2017. Register today! Apply by February 28th to be entered to win free tickets to tour the Vancouver Aquarium!