Overview
The Biden-Harris Administration outlined a nationwide plan to restore and conserve America’s lands, waters, and wildlife. The report, Conserving and Restoring American the Beautiful, contains recommendations for a locally-driven and voluntary nationwide goal to conserve 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.
The report, developed by the U.S. Departments of the Interior, Agriculture and Commerce, and the White House Council on Environmental Quality, calls for a decade-long effort to support locally led and voluntary conservation and restoration efforts across public, private, and Tribal lands and waters in order to create jobs and strengthen the economy’s foundation; tackle the climate and nature crises; and address inequitable access to the outdoors.
Local Impact
In Nevada, other government leaders and the public have indicated support for the ambitious conservation goal. In March, a bipartisan array of 70 mayors from across the country, including Nevada Mayors Hillary Schieve and Daniel Corona, signed on to a letter pledging their support of the 30 by 30 initiative. Additionally, a recent poll from Colorado College indicated that 82 percent of Nevadans support a national 30 by 30 benchmark and 90 percent agree that even with state budget problems, we should still find money to conserve the state’s land, water, and wildlife.
With Nevada’s abundance of public lands, natural resources, and wildlife, the state has the unique opportunity to lead in this effort and contribute greatly to a national goal.
(Source: Nevada Conservation League)
Our Support
In January 2022, we joined over 80 Western outdoor businesses in asking the Bureau of Land Management, the Department of Interior and President Biden to protect more BLM Lands as part of the America the Beautiful initiative. This initiative focuses on ways federal land management agencies can help meet President Biden’s goal of conserving 30% of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030.
The outdoor recreation industry is greatly dependent on the many benefits conferred from our nation’s open spaces and protected public lands. Board member Louis Bubala said it best, “Protecting more Bureau of Land Management lands—like the culturally important Avi Kwa Ame area south of Las Vegas—can help support local economies and tourism industries while preserving our outstanding opportunities for recreation, including camping, hiking, paddling, hunting, and fishing. This ambitious project will also help mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis and protect wildlife habitat.”
Please click here to read the full letter and press release.