The "Take It Outside" (TIO) Initiative was prompted by a growing national concern that children are spending significantly less time outdoors than previous generations; becoming more disconnected from nature; and increasingly showing the symptoms of an epidemic in childhood obesity. These issues were articulated in Richard Louv’s 2005 book “Last Child in the Woods.” In response to these growing national concerns over childhood inactivity outdoors, natural resource agency policy-makers are promoting a nationwide effort to encourage children to take part in outdoor activities.
As children are becoming increasingly disconnected from the natural environment (via computers, video games, television, and fear of the risks associated with being outside), they are losing a basic understanding of the connections between humans and the natural world – such as the air we breathe, the water we drink, other species, and the natural resources on which human life depends. The BLM and many other Federal agencies are taking on the challenge of attempting to reconnect the Nation’s youth and families with the many benefits of spending time outdoors.
The BLM’s TIO Initiative focuses on promoting and expanding existing or new BLM programs that engage children and families in outdoor activities. The BLM annually reaches over three million children through existing education and recreation programs. The following are already underway as part of the new TIO Initiative:
- Establishing a national TIO Initiative Team that will assist Field and State Offices with networking and provide resources to engage children and families in outdoor activities;
- Revising and updating the National TIO Initiative website, which will be a source for technical assistance and external resource information for facilitating and sustaining TIO Initiative activities and partnerships; and
- Establishing partnership incentive funding beginning in FY 2008.
The BLM’s TIO Initiative is a priority for the Secretary and for the BLM Director. The BLM leadership asked the Assistant Director for Renewable Resources and Planning, in coordination with the NLCS office and the Division of Recreation and Visitor Services, to lead this effort.
