HR0011 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0011 LRB102 10080 MST 15400 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Children are spending less time outdoors exploring, discovering, and observing our natural world and playing and creating in open spaces; and

WHEREAS, Not participating in these types of activities has been shown to have adverse health, social, and emotional consequences; and

WHEREAS, Spending time in the outdoors with frequent access to nature experiences and lessons provides a foundation upon which to build physical strength and environmental awareness; and

WHEREAS, Learning about the environment and other subjects in an outdoor setting, an outdoor classroom or garden, and through field studies and outdoor lab activities is known to help increase student performance in class, increase student interest in learning, reduce disciplinary problems, and increase student ownership of work being done; and

WHEREAS, The future quality, quantity, and use of the State's natural resources will lie in the hands of children; and

WHEREAS, Children will need to understand natural systems and the interrelationships between natural and human-built systems in order to make decisions and take actions that will maintain a high quality of life; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we believe that every child should have the right and opportunity to explore the woods and climb a tree, run through a field and build a fort, splash in the water and catch a fish, explore a local park and turn over a log, sleep out in a tent and gaze at the stars, follow a trail and listen to a bird song, play in the mud and hold a frog, plant a garden and eat locally grown food, play in the rain and follow animal tracks, and be alone in nature or share it with a friend; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and the Governor.