“AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL” INITIATIVE IS A WIN FOR CLIMATE ACTION, NATURE, AND JOBS IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE U.S.

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Biden-Harris Administration established a vision for the first-ever national conservation goal, a ten-year effort to conserve 30% of U.S. lands, waters, and oceans by 2030. The vision was outlined in a new report, “Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful,” released by the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Commerce and the White House Council on Environmental Quality. 

Voters overwhelmingly support bold action on conservation, including the 86 percent of voters who back a national 30×30 goal. This science-driven goal will help us fight climate change, develop new sources of clean energy, and create jobs in communities all across the U.S.

“The previous administration, the most anti-nature in U.S. history, left office with fewer public lands protected than when it began for the first time ever,” said Climate Power executive director Lori Lodes. “President Biden’s bold and ambitious goal is a much-needed course correction that will put us back on a path to conserving our public lands and waters in a way that’s consistent with our values and the science. In addition to helping address the climate and nature crises, protecting our natural resources supports a multi-billion dollar outdoor economy with millions of jobs in communities across the country. Passing the American Jobs Plan and protecting our nation’s public lands and waters will supercharge the jobs potential of the outdoor economy and spur equitable and responsible development of vast new sources of clean energy.”

The goal announced today is an inclusive and bold vision for safeguarding America’s lands, water, and wildlife that will support the efforts of people across the country, including rural and coastal communities, Tribal Nations, private landowners, and many others on the frontlines of conserving, stewarding, restoring, using, and enjoying nature.

The report, which is based on feedback collected by the administration during its first 100 days, highlights six priority areas for focus, investments, and collaboration:

• Creating more parks and safe outdoor opportunities in nature-deprived communities.
• Supporting Tribally led conservation and restoration priorities.
• Expanding collaborative conservation of fish and wildlife habitats and corridors.
• Increasing access for outdoor recreation.
• Incentivizing and rewarding the voluntary conservation efforts of fishers, ranchers, farmers, and forest owners.
• Creating jobs by investing in restoration and resilience projects and initiatives, including the Civilian Climate Corps.