Robin Schepper, Washington, D.C.
based entrepreneur and consultant was elected to the
Board of Directors of Choose Outdoors on February 15, 2012

Robin brings a wealth of experience and passion for children's issues as well as for Choose Outdoors mission to connect all Americans to their public lands through outdoor recreation.. Elizabeth Simon, Board Chair, said "I am pleased that someone of Robin's considerable achievement in helping Americans be more physically active and to get the nutrition they need, has agreed to join the Board of Choose Outdoors".

Robin served as the first Executive Director of First Lady Michele Obama's initiative Let's Move! Prior to that, Robin's experience spans from communications to community organizing to serving on the PTA. Robin has worked on four presidential campaigns including acting as Washington State Director for Clinton-Gore in 1996; she worked in the U.S. Senate for as the Communications Committee Staff Director for Senator Tom Daschle; she consulted for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and founded two consulting businesses, Pyramid Communications based in Seattle, WA and Wayfinder, Inc. based in Washington, DC. Robin now consults with non-profits and foundations on preventing childhood obesity, and improving the nutrition and physical activity of all Americans, including the Bipartisan Policy Center and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Robin believes in Choose Outdoors' mission, "I look forward to working with an organization that prioritizes the importance of outdoor recreation. Our federal, state and local lands are assets that can help Americans lead healthier lives. I look forward to working with the staff and Board of Directors of Choose Outdoors to find creative ways to build strategic partnerships that will encourage more Americans to choose the outdoors in their daily lives."

• Mountain Pine Beetle Conference

  
  
  

  The pine beetle conference at the REI Flagship store in Denver included lots of concerned people, scientists, builders, business owners and Forestry Service people gathered to learn more about and talk about the bark beetle.
  
  
  

  Bruce Ward of recognized as a
  Champion of Change at White House

  
  
  

  Bruce Ward was recognized as a Champion of Change for Rural America at the White House, in Washington, DC, on July 6, 2011. He was asked to participate along with President Barack Obama, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the President's Domestic Policy Adviser Melody Barnes and rural communities leaders from across the country.
  
  
  
  

  Get Your Nature On!

  
  
  Did you know that regular outdoor activity could actually improve your physical and mental health? Or that kids who spend time in parks or green spaces are more likely to be physically fit? Read More (See text below) Unfortunately, most kids (and adults for that matter) are barely spending any time at all outdoors in nature. The Get Your Nature On challenge will begin reversing this trend best described by author Richard Louv as Nature-Deficit Disorder. By participating in the Get Your Nature On challenge, you will be able to have fun challenging yourself and your Facebook friends to get active, get healthy and get outdoors.