MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Governor Mark Dayton hosted U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar for a boat ride on the Mississippi River on Friday.

Salazar is on a multi-state tour highlighting national conservation efforts, as well as talking about how President Obama wants to encourage outdoor recreation opportunities and create jobs.

“This is truly a crown jewel of America and outdoors. And we recognize, the president recognizes that outdoor recreation is also a huge economic contributor,” said Salazar. “We know there are more than six million jobs that come from outdoor recreation from canoers, kayakers, boaters, anglers, hunters and so many related to the quality of our environment.”

Salazar served together with Dayton when he was a senator from Colorado.