Proclamation 9456-Great Outdoors Month, 2016
Issued 2016-05-31 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
President Obama issued this proclamation to designate June 2016 as "Great Outdoors Month," a ceremonial observance encouraging Americans to celebrate and enjoy the country's public lands and natural spaces. The proclamation draws attention to National Parks and other outdoor areas, highlighting administration initiatives like the "Find Your Park" campaign and the "Every Kid in a Park" program, which offers free access to National Parks for fourth grade students and their families for one year.
The proclamation affects all Americans by encouraging them to visit and appreciate public lands and waters, from forests and deserts to lakes and rivers. It references the administration's increased funding for the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps, which provides opportunities for Americans to help restore and maintain outdoor spaces. The proclamation also notes the administration's conservation efforts, including setting aside more than 265 million acres of public lands and waters.
This proclamation is purely ceremonial and does not create new laws or impose legal requirements on anyone. It expresses the President's sentiment about the importance of outdoor spaces and conservation, urging Americans to explore nature and help preserve it for future generations. The proclamation also addresses concerns about climate change and its effects on natural landscapes, including longer wildfire seasons, droughts, and threats to coastal communities.
AI-generated summary for educational purposes
Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
This proclamation designates "Proclamation 9456-Great Outdoors Month, 2016" — a ceremonial observance that brings national attention to great outdoors. Presidents have issued ceremonial proclamations since George Washington, and they fall squarely within the executive tradition. They do not create new law, direct federal spending, or impose legal obligations on citizens.
Ceremonial proclamations like this one are purely declaratory. They express the sentiment of the President on behalf of the nation, drawing public awareness to causes or communities. They require no congressional approval and face no constitutional challenges.
Official Summary
Administration of Barack Obama, 2016 Proclamation 9456—Great Outdoors Month, 2016 May 31, 2016 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Every day, Americans draw inspiration from the landscapes and outdoor spaces that surround us and connect us with our heritage and with one another. People have lived off of these lands and waters throughout history, and today, they continue to enrich our national experience. In June, we celebrate America's natural and cultural treasures and rich bounty of resources, and we recommit to upholding our responsibility, as those who came before us did, to ensure they are sustained for those who will inherit them. From dense forests and vast deserts to lakes and rivers teeming with wildlife, our National Parks and other public spaces belong to all of us. That is why I have sought to protect places that are culturally and historically significant and that reflect the story of all our people. My Administration has also worked hard to ensure that everyone has the chance to easily visit and enjoy these spectacular areas. All Americans can explore the parks and monuments we share as our birthright, including through the "Find Your Park" campaign, which my Administration established to help connect pe