The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), along with federal, state, private, and nonprofit partners, is celebrating June as Great Outdoors Month.
On May 31, 2022, President Joe Biden issued the 25th consecutive presidential proclamation of Great Outdoors Month saying, “As part of my administration’s efforts to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion, we are committed to ensuring that everyone can access and enjoy America’s great outdoors. Outreach efforts — including the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program — expand trails, conserve rivers and restore green space so that more people can benefit.”
Great Outdoors Month has been proclaimed by every president since 1998 and has been unanimously declared by the Senate each year since 2017.
On May 26, the Senate unanimously passed its sixth consecutive resolution noting the month.
“As a fifth-generation Montanan and avid sportsman, I am glad to designate June 2022 as ‘Great Outdoors Month,’” said Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.). “From hunting to fly-fishing, to backpacking, exploring the great outdoors is part of our Montana way of life. I encourage folks to get outside and experience everything our national parks and public lands have to offer.”
Outdoor events are hosted in all 50 states throughout June to recognize the month. Events include:
- American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day(June 3)
- National Fishing and Boating Week– coordinated by the National Boating and Fishing Foundation (June 3-11)
- Great Outdoors Month Day of Service(June 9) – coordinated by The Corps Network
- National Get Outdoors Day(June 11) – coordinated by ORR
- National Go RVing Day(June 11) – coordinated by Go RVing
- Great American Campout(beginning June 25) – coordinated by the National Wildlife Federation
- National Marina Days(all summer) – coordinated by the Association of Marina Industries
This year, Great Outdoors Month has a theme based on the Together Outdoors initiative. Together Outdoors is an outdoor business and organizations working to make the outdoors more inclusive coalition.
During June, ORR, Together Outdoors and partner organizations will message around growing diversity, equity, and inclusion in outdoor recreation through education and action. By collectively orienting messaging around these principles, the organizations said they can ensure people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, the disability community and marginalized people of various backgrounds and faiths feel welcome in the outdoors and have their stories told.
“We are thrilled that President Biden and the Senate have once again recognized June as Great Outdoors Month,” said Jessica Turner, ORR president. “As the end of spring and the beginning of summer with school out, summer vacations starting and the outdoors beckoning – June is an incredible time to get outdoors and enjoy everything our public lands and waters have to offer. And this year, by working with Together Outdoors, we can take major strides towards ensuring all Americans have positive, welcoming experiences in their great outdoors.”
