 Spotlighting the Work to Restore, Connect and Conserve 30 Percent of Lands and Waters by 2030
News and Updates
Secretary Haaland Marks National Park Expansions in Colorado
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and National Park Service Director Chuck Sams visited Colorado this month where they marked the expansion of two important national parks, the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site and Great Sand Dunes National Park. The land acquisitions will help honor and protect the parks’ important stories and landscapes, and were made possible through funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Established by Congress in 1964 to fulfill a bipartisan commitment to safeguard natural areas, water resources and cultural heritage, as well as provide recreation opportunities for all Americans, the LWCF has funded $4 billion worth of projects in every county in America for more than 50 years.
The U.S. Geological Survey announced nearly $4 million in investments to improve urban lands and waters. The Survey will provide $1.5 million in funding with an additional $2.5 million in matching funds from local partners in the which brings together 15 federal agencies working collaboratively with local communities to restore urban waterways and surrounding lands. The funds will benefit 22 urban waters projects critical for citizen health and safety, recreation and economic development and reflect the America the Beautiful initiative’s commitment to expand equitable access to nature.
The U.S. Departments of the Interior and Agriculture announced members of the Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council. The Federal Advisory Council, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is a committee of subject matter experts that will provide recommendations to the federal government regarding policies that benefit wildlife and habitat conservation; expand fair-chase hunting, safe recreational shooting sports, and wildlife-associated recreation opportunities; and benefit national and local economies. The Council will help advance the America the Beautiful initiative, which aims to improve outdoor recreational opportunities and conserve our nation’s wildlife.
The State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources purchased five parcels of land on the island of Moloka‘i that includes native forests, watersheds, and reefs. The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife acquired the land with the help of a $1.8 million U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grant and more than $600,000 in private donations. The land is part of a contiguous watershed, designated by the State Commission on Water Resource Management as a priority 1 watershed.
As part of the America the Beautiful initiative, the Biden-Harris administration celebrated the signing of the “Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting Equitable Access to Nature in Nature-Deprived Communities” by 10 federal departments and agencies. This effort focuses on strengthening investments in communities that lack access to nature to ensure all Americans can benefit from safe parks, natural areas, and waterways by expanding access to local parks, tree canopy cover, conservation areas, open space and water-based recreation, public gardens, beaches, and waterways. Together, these investments also advance President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which will deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of climate and clean energy investments to disadvantaged communities.
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