Whereas, American children currently average only 30 minutes of unstructured play time outdoors each week; and,

Whereas, Outdoor recreation has experienced a disturbing decline across the United States and in Michigan, including attendance at parks as well as participation in angling and hunting; and,

Whereas, The lost connection to nature and the outdoors is expected to result in a significant decline of citizen participation in natural resources protection and stewardship; and,

Whereas, Michigan's economic and environmental future is based on having citizens strongly committed to preserving our Great Lakes waters and other national resources; and,

Whereas, Early childhood experience with nature has been shown to be a major influencing factor in nurturing a lifestyle of outdoor participation and environmental activism; and,

Whereas, Outdoor play and nature experiences have also shown to improve a child's creativity, problem solving abilities and emotional development and can be important factors in reducing childhood obesity and symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD); and,

Whereas, A national movement has been initiated to reconnect children and nature, and it is in our state's interest to join this initiative and reconnect Michigan's children with their birthright of clean and healthy outdoor recreation; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim April 22, 2008 through April 27, 2008, as No Child Left Inside Days in Michigan.