Sierra Club's Inner-City Outings program wins president's award

Sierra Club Inner City Outings volunteer leaders were selected to receive a Community Leadership Award from the 2013 President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition for exemplary service and dedication to improving the lives of others by promoting and fostering opportunities for participation in fitness, sports or nutrition programs. Inner City Outings leaders are committed to connecting children and diverse communities with the natural world.

Since the early 1970s, Inner City Outings (ICO) has made it possible for youth and adults throughout America to take advantage of the local, state and national parks, valuable experiences for many of these people who otherwise may not be able to enjoy our public lands. Today, there are 52 ICO groups nationwide whose volunteers conduct more than 900 outings for more than 12,000 participants each year.

The Angeles Chapter has a robust ICO program that led 107 outings for 4,064 children and 637 parents and teachers in 2012.

“One of the best ways to inspire people to protect our wild places is to bring them outside,” said Sarah Hodgdon, Sierra Club Conservation Director. “Every one of our volunteers plays a key role in increasing access to outdoor recreation and expanding the conservation movement.”

“We’re honored and excited our Inner City Outings volunteers are being recognized by the President’s Council for the time and effort they donate to ensuring that everyone has the chance to enjoy and explore the outdoors,” said Stacy Bare, Mission Outdoors Director.

Inner City Outings is part of Sierra Club’s Mission Outdoors program, a volunteer army of outdoor leaders, educators, and enthusiasts bringing more than 250,000 people into the outdoors.