STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-ONE
_____
JOINT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING ALL MAINE YOUTH
OUTDOORS
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts have tremendously strained the
mental health and well-being of Maine's youth and our education system, and, in response,
schools have overcome challenges related to training, curriculum, space, funding, gear access,
transportation and more in order to use exploring and learning outdoors to face these
unprecedented physical, social and emotional challenges; and
WHEREAS, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Maine youth were spending less time
outdoors exploring, discovering and building connections to Maine's natural resources; and
WHEREAS, it is documented that learning in an outdoor setting improves academic
performance, increases motivation to learn and engage and increases student connection to
natural resources and the community; and
WHEREAS, outdoor learning and leadership development open career opportunities in
Maine's heritage natural resource, outdoor recreation and tourism industries; and
WHEREAS, the future decisions affecting the quality, quantity and use of the State's
natural resources will lie in the hands of today's youth, who must understand natural systems
and the interrelationships between natural and human-built systems in order to make informed
decisions and take actions that will maintain a high quality of life; and
WHEREAS, when the benefits of outdoor experiences are made available to all youth,
stronger connections and healthier communities are built and all citizens benefit; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That We, the Members of the One Hundred and Thirtieth Legislature now
assembled in the First Regular Session, on behalf of the people we represent, take this
opportunity to commend Maine teachers, administrators and school districts for their
innovation in using outdoor settings to increase safety for youth and staff and to meet youth
physical and mental health needs; and be it further
RESOLVED: That we support opportunities for all Maine youth to enjoy time outdoors
to explore and to learn about and build connections to our State's natural resources, which will
provide for health and well-being and will build stronger, healthier communities through
upholding Maine's deep history of connection to the outdoors.
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