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"We have a concern that children are losing their connection to the outdoors," said National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis. "As you show kids the habitats at Gateway National Park and the Grand Canyon, you're showing them that there are similar habitats near them. We want to get these kids thinking,
'Let's move, let's get outside, and learn something at the same time.'" The choice of the Grand Canyon as a setting may seem like a magnificent no-brainer, but there's a good reason, too, for spotlighting the less-familiar Gateway. "We have a very strong interest in emphasizing our urban national parks," said Jarvis, "because of their proximity to large populations." Beside those two, there are 399 more parks in the National Parks system, and Jarvis voiced hope that the Sesame Workshop project would be expanded to highlight more of them. "We would love to build a long-term relationship with 'Sesame Street,'" he said. In the meantime, kids will be reminded by these initial videos that there are countless local parks, yards and lawns where nature is happening constantly, just waiting to be discovered. "Be like a ranger!" urges Murray, bringing it home. "Get outside and observe all the animals in their habitats." ___ Online:
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