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US 'Great Outdoors' Program Touted In NYC

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Federal officials were using an urban backdrop to discuss an initiative called "America's Great Outdoors."

Mayor Michael Bloomberg was scheduled to be be joined in Central Park Thursday by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis.

The goals include improving access to outdoor recreation and restoring ecosystems.

President Barack Obama said the new administration effort to protect public lands will put people back to work in tourism and recreation and help Americans stay healthier.

The initiative aims to double federal spending on land and water conservation to $900 million.

Salazar also will discuss the program in Florida on Friday; in California on Sunday and Monday; in Maryland next Wednesday; and in Washington, D.C. next Thursday.

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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