• June 8, 2011

The U.S. Forest Service and Ad Council are launching a PSA program aimed at reintroducing kids to that thing called nature that is not an app. Children in the U.S. spend 50% less time outdoors than they did 20 years ago, per a release on the campaign.

The PSA is aimed at getting families to rediscover (what) forests (are left). The Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Tom Tidwell, will unveil the new PSAs on June 11 at Kingman Island in coordination with National Get Outdoors Day.

The three-year-old campaign is supported by research suggesting children who play outside have a reduced risk for obesity, lower stress levels, more active imaginations and they're more likely to become environmentally conscious adults.

The effort comprises television, radio, print and outdoor PSAs, created pro bono by ad agency, Turbine, are being released to coincide with National Get Outdoors Day on June 11. The PSAs encourage children and their parents to visit www.DiscoverTheForest.org. The site has an interactive map tool, powered by Google and Nature Find that lets users search for nearby forests and parks.

The Ad Council and the USDA Forest Service will promote the new PSAs on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. -- Karl Greenberg