Salazar promotes new outdoor initiative

MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK, Colo. — Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is encouraging people to participate in a new initiative to conserve outdoor spaces and enjoy the outdoors.

Salazar issued the call Sunday as he visited Mesa Verde National Park to promote better campgrounds and roads coming from about $10.1 million in stimulus money.

The park is also getting a new visitors center and the biggest update to the Spruce Tree House Trail since the cliff dwelling opened to the public in 1908.

President Barack Obama announced the "America's Great Outdoors" program earlier this month and Salazar says officials will be traveling around the country to hear about the places people care about. Trips to Florida's Everglades and Los Angeles are planned so far.