# Presentation: 175965

## Slide 1

**Notes:**

The Get Fit with US initiative is a direct result of the President’s Healthier US Initiative, which was issued for the purpose of improving the health of all Americans. It is designed to promote a healthy lifestyle alliance between public health and recreation. 

## Slide 2

##    Get Fit with US is a communication campaign that promotes nature-based physical activity.  

**Notes:**
The Get Fit With US campaign emphasizes the link between public lands and public health as part of the President's Healthier US Initiative to improve the nation's fitness. The federal government, the states, local jurisdictions and private groups are working together under this initiative in partnerships that encourage the use of inexpensive outdoor recreation. 

"These partnerships are using the vast interconnected outdoor recreation network of federal, state and local lands and waters as a resource that can help provide inexpensive, enjoyable exercise for all Americans. 

The USDA Forest Service,National Parks and BLM play an important role in the public land recreation network. By promoting the importance of recreational activities and physical fitness opportunities on our public lands and waters, we encourage Americans to stay active and healthy while enjoying the outdoors. 

## Lets Expand the Traditional Definition of “Exercise” to Include Outdoor Recreation Activities 

- Research suggests that the greatest potential to increase physical activity is through leisure activities such as play, recreation, sport and contact with nature. Godbey, G., Payne, L.L., Ortega-smith, E. *Increasing physical activity among older adults*. .
- Children who have positive outdoor experiences are more likely to adopt a recreation activity and maintain it over their lifetime.  Harris interactive poll. *Exploring the outdoor lifestyle*, January 30, 2004.

## Healthy Recreation Opportunities Abound on Public Lands and Waters

- Inexpensive, entry level **summer** activities include:
- Hiking
- Mountain biking
- Swimming
- Inexpensive, entry level **winter **activities include:
- Snow shoeing
-  Cross-country skiing
-  Sledding

## Trails and Health – A Natural Connection

- National trails day 2006 –American hiking society “trails and health – A natural connection”

**Notes:**
The theme for this year's National Trails Day is "Trails and Health— A Natural Connection." 

## Partnership Opportunities Between Public Service Agencies, Private Partners, and Community Based Organizations 

- Get Fit with US represents a new approach for the U.S. Forest Service to engage their local communities.

## Get Fit with US Campaign Partners

- Forest Service, Department of Agriculture
- Bureau of Land Management, Department of Interior
- Outdoor Industry Association
- 		-Style Guide
- 		- First year startup funding for pilot 			projects.

## Winter Snowshoe NaturalistsLogan, Utah

**Groomed Ski Trails**
- An AmeriCorps volunteer  worked with Nordic United and Utah State University to groom cross-country ski trails Winter 2006.
- 2000 users spent over 5000 hours recreating on the winter trail system.
- Provided areas for Get Fit with US programs including snowshoeing, adaptive recreation, winter ecology, and learn to ski.

## Visitors Raved...”The trails in the Sink Hollow area have the potential to be some of the best  groomed cross country trails in the intermountain region."  Jerry Hughes, Logan

## Family Snowshoe Programs

## Forest Field Expeditions

## Common Ground Outdoor Adventures provides equipment and opportunities for folks of all abilities to enjoy America’s Public Lands.

## Winter Trails Day 2006Wasatch-Cache National ForestNorth Logan, Utah

- Winter Trails Day 2006Wasatch-Cache National ForestNorth Logan, Utah

## Other Local Initiatives

- Be Active Bitterroot program of  Great Falls, Montana, the Indian Family Health Clinic is a member of the community coalition using Get Fit with US. www.getfitgreatfalls.org

## Other Local Initiatives

- In Salt Lake City, Utah, a Get Fit with US project conducted by the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Snow sports Industries America and Cottonwoods Foundation provides first-time snowshoeing experiences during  winter ecology field trips.

## Building environmental stewardship of public lands through active volunteerism.