Reps. Kowall, Moss, Walsh, Rogers, Marleau, Haines, Meekhof, Opsommer, Polidori, Mayes, Lahti, McDowell, Bolger, Booher, Terry Brown, Caul, Constan, Crawford, Dean, Durhal, Hansen, Horn, Rick Jones, Robert Jones, Kurtz, Leland, Lori, Lund, Neumann, Proos, Schuitmaker, Scripps, Sheltrown and Tyler offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 200.

            A resolution to express support of public policies that promote outdoor activities for Michigan's children.

            Whereas, Michigan is home to a wealth of high-quality natural resources that offer a wide range of recreational opportunities for all of our residents. The state's water resources include over 35,000 inland lakes and ponds, more than 49,000 miles of rivers and streams, and over 3,000 miles of coastline on the Great Lakes. Our land resources are also impressive, with expansive forests and timberlands and numerous public areas to hunt, fish, trap, kayak and canoe, ski, hike, camp, boat, and snowmobile; and

            Whereas, Concerns exist that the younger generation has become disconnected from nature and lacks an understanding of the importance of clean air and water. Youths are shunning the great outdoors in favor of sedentary activities such as video games, Internet surfing, and movies; and

            Whereas, Numerous studies have shown that there are many health, physical, emotional, and educational benefits to playing and experiencing our state's outdoors. The National No Child Left Inside movement is encouraging children to reconnect with the outdoors. At the state level, the Michigan No Child Left Inside Coalition encourages children to get outdoors through specially designed events and activities. These outdoor experiences will be critical in the development of the next generation of Michigan's conservation stewards; and

            Whereas, Every child in Michigan should have the opportunity to visit a Great Lake; sit beneath a tree at least 100 years old; cook a marshmallow over a campfire; go fishing; canoe, kayak, or float a river; hike a trail; plant a native flower, shrub, or tree; listen to a spring bird song or a chorus of frogs; star gaze; and follow animal tracks in the snow; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we support increased participation in and support policies that promote outdoor activities for Michigan's children; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Departments of Natural Resources and Environment and Education and the Governor.