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This Week: Celebrating Women's History Month, and observing International Transgender Day of Visibility; Secretary Haaland joins a White House forum on offshore wind energy; Interior disburses nearly a quarter-billion dollars in oil and gas revenue to Gulf States for coastal conservation, restoration, and hurricane protection; a new USGS study shows significant decline of Greater-Sage grouse populations; the Fish and Wildlife Service recommends downlisting the Hawaiian ae'o from endangered to threatened; National Park Week is set for April 17th through the 25th, and sandhill cranes take flight in our social media Picture of the Week.
Women's History Month Virtual Celebration
 Secretary Haaland took part in a virtual program saluting Women’s History Month. The month pays tribute to the generations of women who fought to secure voting rights, and who keep fighting for equality and opportunity across all of American society.
Marking International Transgender Day of Visibility
 Secretary Haaland became the first Interior Secretary to officially mark International Transgender Day of Visibility. In a statement the Secretary said “There is nothing more powerful in this world than the act of living openly, authentically, and safely. On this Trans Day of Visibility, we recognize the hard-fought victories won by and for the transgender community, honor the transgender loved ones we’ve lost along the way, and recommit to the struggle for full equality."
Secretary Haaland Joins White House Clean Energy Forum
 Secretary Haaland this week joined the Secretaries of Energy, Commerce, and Transportation, along with state, labor, and industry representatives, for a White House forum on offshore wind energy. Interior is working with agencies across the federal government to advance the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of increasing renewable energy development on federal lands and waters.
Interior Distributes Oil & Gas Revenues to Gulf States
 Interior's Office of Natural Resources Revenue disbursed $249 million this week in offshore oil and gas revenues to the four Gulf producing states of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas under the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, or GOMESA. Those funds are used for coastal conservation, restoration, and hurricane protection. Additional revenues will be flowing into the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and the Federal Treasury.
Sage-Grouse Report Points to Need for More Effective Conservation
 A new USGS study shows Greater Sage-Grouse populations have declined significantly over the last six decades, a decrease of 80% range wide since 1965, with half of that coming in the last twenty years. The report represents the most comprehensive analysis of greater sage-grouse population trends ever produced.
 The Fish and Wildlife Service proposed downlisting the wading bird from endangered to threatened. The Service says the stilt's ongoing recovery shows the power of conservation partnerships between federal, state and private stakeholders.
 America celebrates National Park Week April 17th through April 25th. This year the focus will be on outdoor experiences that follow CDC and public health guidance, and on fun and innovative digital experiences. Visitors will be able to “journey” to national parks through a variety of online activities including virtual tours, scavenger hunts, trivia contests, and junior ranger programs.
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