Salt Lake City

Mayor's Office

Erin Mendenhall | (801) 535-7704

Mayor Biskupski encourages Salt Lake City’s children to exercise their ‘Outdoor Rights’

Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski will put her fishing license to use on Thursday, casting a line alongside kids from the Youth City program to launch the new Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights.

The Outdoor Bill of Rights is a citywide initiative pioneered by the City’s Trails & Natural Lands Division and the Division of Youth & Family. The program’s goal is to identify fundamental experiences in the natural world to enrich the lives of every child. By extension, the program hopes to increase awareness of climate change and the importance of environmental stewardship.

“Engagement with the outdoors is vital to children’s health and the sustainability of our community,” Mayor Jackie Biskupski said. “We want all of our kids to know the joy of following a woodland trail, splashing in a stream, or spotting and identifying a wild animal. For all of us, such experiences enhance our appreciation of nature and increase our commitment to protecting our environment.”

The Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights Kickoff event, is set for Thursday, June 20, 2019 at 5 p.m. in Fairmont Park.

Mayor Biskupski will introduce the 13 points of the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights — including observing a starry sky, exploring a cave and visiting the Great Salt Lake — before the fishing and other nature-themed activities begin. 

A part of the Outdoor Bill or Rights program, families will be provided with information about free or low-cost programs that encourage outdoor opportunities offered by community partners, including the Natural History Museum of Utah, Tracy Aviary and the Salt Lake City Library. Kids can also earn one-of kind Outdoor Bill of Rights stickers for getting out to experience each of the 13 rights.

“We want to give all and their families access to the free programs and resources that will help them enjoy the outdoors throughout the summer and beyond,” Lewis Kogan, of the Trails & Natural Lands Division. “Our kids are the key to ensuring the health of our environment for future generations.

For more information about Youth City, an afterschool program for youths aged 8-19, visit https://www.slc.gov/youthandfamily/

Additional information about Salt Lake City’s Trail & Natural Lands Division and the Outdoor Bill of Rights Program is available at https://www.slc.gov/parks/trails-natural-lands/trails-natural-lands-education/

What:             Salt Lake City Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights Kickoff Event

Who:              Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski, Kim Thomas, Youth & Family Division Director

Kendal Scott, Events & Activities Assistant, Trails & Natural Lands Division

When:            Thursday, June 202019 – 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (program at 5:00PM)

Where:          Fairmont Park Pond, 1030 E. Sugarmont Dr., Salt Lake City

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