"White House To Host Summit on Conservation"

"WASHINGTON -- Voicing concerns that Americans are losing their connection with nature -- and that natural areas are falling victim to sprawl and pollution -- the Obama administration is inviting hundreds of sportsmen, environmentalists and other champions of the outdoors to Washington next month for a summit on conservation.

The White House Conference on America's Great Outdoors, on April 16, will focus on how to conserve the land with a focus on local leadership, as opposed to a heavy federal government role, administration officials announced Friday.

Under President Obama's vision for a '21st century conservation agenda,' the federal government would bring together cities, states, tribes and nongovernmental organizations working on conservation efforts, and encourage families to spend more time outdoors, officials said."

Jim Tankersley reports for the Los Angeles Times March 28, 2010.