The U.S. interior secretary's report expected next week will highlight 100 outdoors initiatives nationwide, including two projects in Maine.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is preparing to release a 50-state report outlining some of the country's most promising ways to reconnect Americans to the natural world.

Salazar highlighted two projects in Maine that will be included in the final report: They are "Restoring the Penobscot River," which aims to restore hundreds of miles of habitat for sea-run fish along the river; and an initiative called Keeping Maine's Forests, a partnership of landwners, recreationists, government and others that promotes forest stewardship.

Kate Dempsey is with the Nature Conservancy of Maine, which is involved in both projects. She welcomed the announcement. "I think what it does is highlight this kind of work that I think many, many of us in Maine believe is essential to create opportunities for a wide number of people in Maine. So this kind of stamp of approval is really important to us."

The two Maine projects are among 100 nationwide that will be highlighted in next week's report as part of President Obama's 'America's Great Outdoors' initiative to establish a 21st century conservation and recreation agenda and reconnect Americans to the outdoors.

(This story was reported by Tom Porter, and includes material Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)