Creates a legislative task force on outdoor environmental education and recreation

BILL NUMBER:S3920A

Title of bill

An act creating a legislative task force on outdoor environmental education and recreation that will benefit residents of New York state by stewardship and conservation of the environment, an appreciation of the importance of the wise use of natural resources as well as acknowledgment of the health benefits of time spent in nature

Purpose

This bill creates a task force on outdoor environmental education and recreation. This bill would assemble representatives from various organizations and state agencies to promote development of a framework that will ensure that New York State has a aggressive outdoor environmental education and recreation Plan that focuses on creating, developing and retaining opportunities for outdoor learning.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 provides the Legislative findings.

Section 2 provides the objectives of the legislative task force on outdoor environmental education and recreation.

Section 3 provides the composition of the legislative task force, which shall consist of twelve members. The task force members will have expertise in outdoor recreation and environmental education.

Section 4 authorizes the task force to report its findings, conclusion and recommendations by January 1, 2017.

Section 5 of this bill provides for an immediate effective date.

Justification

The average American boy or girl spends just four to seven minutes each day in unstructured outdoor play, and more than seven hours each day in front of an electronic screen.

Visual and physical access to basic types of open space is vital for everyone, and particularly valuable to children growing up in "urban hardscapes" or areas where access to nature is limited.

Outdoor play has been shown to increase fitness levels, raise levels of Vitamin D, improve distance vision and lower nearsightedness, decrease symptoms of AIDED, improve test scores and increase academic performance.

The development of policies that foster stewardship of the environment, an appreciation of the importance of the wise use of natural resources and recognition of the health benefits of time spent in nature are essential to the residents of New York State.

This legislation would assemble representatives from various organizations and state agencies to promote the development of a framework that will ensure that New York State has an aggressive outdoor environmental education and recreation plan focuses on creating, developing and retaining opportunities for outdoor learning.

Legislative history

S5205 of 2011/2012.

Fiscal implications

None to State.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.