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.168289.2

SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 66

48

TH LEGISLATURE

- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -

FIRST SESSION

, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Cynthia Nava

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING A STUDY OF WAYS TO INCREASE THE PARTICIPATION OF

PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS OUTDOORS ON PUBLIC LANDS.

WHEREAS, New Mexico has a variety of exceptional public

lands that provide quality outdoor learning environments; and

WHEREAS, many children do not have access to public lands;

and

WHEREAS, only five percent of students in kindergarten

through grade twelve have access to public lands on a regular

basis; and

WHEREAS, obesity is on the rise in New Mexico, especially

in young children; and

WHEREAS, outdoor experiences encourage physical activity,

which is a key to preventing obesity; and

WHEREAS, there is a need for hands-on teaching materials

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.168289.2

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for children who begin to access the outdoors through their

experiences in the public schools; and

WHEREAS, there is also a need for transportation for

children who want to experience outdoor education programs; and

WHEREAS, coordination among state agencies will be

required to increase the use of public lands by students; and

WHEREAS, a 2005 study found that outdoor, interactive

education can increase student test scores, reduce discipline

problems, build citizenry skills and increase teacher job

satisfaction; and

WHEREAS, a partnership between the state parks division of

the energy, minerals and natural resources department and the

public education department would have enormous potential to

inspire education of New Mexico's children, benefit state parks

and better serve the state;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE

STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state parks division of the

energy, minerals and natural resources department be requested

to convene a task force composed of representatives of the

department of game and fish, the public education department,

the national park service, the United States fish and wildlife

service and the New Mexico retail association to plan for ways

to maximize student use of the state's precious public lands;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report its

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conclusions to the legislative health and human services

committee by November 2007 on effective ways to increase

student participation in outdoor education programs; on how

much state funding will be required for educational materials

development, transportation and other expenses; and on specific

steps the legislature can take to make use of public lands in

the prevention of obesity of public school students; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the state parks division of the energy, minerals

and natural resources department, the secretary of public

education, the director of game and fish, the New Mexico retail

association and the New Mexico offices of the national park

service and the United States national fish and wildlife

service.

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