March 22, 2006

PRESS CONTACT:

Sarah Melnitsky: smelnitsky@cronin-co.com

AnnMarie Kemp: akemp@cronin-co.com

Cronin and Company, Inc.

860-659-0514

NEW STATEWIDE INITIATIVE AIMS TO GET CHILDREN OUTDOORS AND BUILD AWARENESS FOR THE STATE'S 137 STATE PARKS AND FORESTS

In a culture where children are spending more time sitting in front of the television and computer than riding their bikes and climbing trees, Connecticut is doing its part to reintroduce children to the outdoors with the launch of a new statewide initiative, No Child Left Inside℠. The campaign aims to raise awareness for the recreational activities available at the state's 137 state parks and forests, attract families to the parks and build enthusiasm for the outdoors among children.

"Connecting children with the outdoors is something I am very passionate about," says Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Gina McCarthy. "It is our goal to inform residents about the recreational, cultural, historical and educational opportunities our parks, forests and waterways provide and attract families to experience all that is available throughout Connecticut."

According to the National Sporting Goods Association, since 1995, the number of kids biking, swimming and fishing has declined by more than 20 percent. In addition, the American Heart Association reports that, as a result of inactivity, children in the United States are less fit today than they were just a generation ago. Here in Connecticut, in 2003, only 20 percent of fourth, sixth, eighth and tenth grade students in Hartford, New London, Waterbury and other urban areas passed all four sections of the standard physical fitness test.

"Our hope is that No Child Left Inside will serve as a launching pad for children and families to go outdoors and take advantage of the resources that our state parks and forests offer. We need to reverse the sedentary trend, get children outdoors and active, and begin to mold our next generation of environmental stewards. Our parks, forests, rivers and streams provide the perfect opportunity to reconnect kids with the outdoors," adds Commissioner McCarthy.

Connecticut's parks and forests feature more than 800 miles of hiking trails, 230 lakes and ponds and 1,300 campsites, as well as numerous sites of historical significance. The state parks and forests are suitable for a wide range of activities ranging from hiking and swimming to biking, sledding and cross country skiing.

The DEP will launch the statewide campaign with an eight-week game called "The Great Park Pursuit, The Connecticut State Parks Family Adventure." The game will take participants on a tour of parks and forests across the state where they will take part in activities and challenges for a chance to win prizes including outdoor equipment. Participants will be asked to decode clues to identify particular parks and forests and then go to those locations - a different one each week - for a scavenger hunt, hike, fishing contest and more.

No Child Left Inside was created by the DEP with support of numerous organizations throughout the state. In addition to the public awareness program, the campaign will include initiatives to provide greater opportunities for children in the state's urban areas to experience the outdoors. DEP has also begun a program that provides state park passes to the public libraries throughout the state. The passes are available for residents to "check out" just as they would a book.

For more information on the campaign or "The Great Park Pursuit," visit www.nochildleftinside.org.