FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2021
DENVER—The White House today released a first-year progress report on President Biden’s America the Beautiful initiative. The report recaps the administration’s actions to protect and restore nature, increase access to the outdoors, and engage in meaningful consultation with Tribal nations. The administration also announced it would launch a public comment period in early 2022 to gather input on the forthcoming American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas.
The Center for Western Priorities released the following statement from Executive Director Jennifer Rokala:
“In less than a year, President Biden has laid the groundwork for what could become his most lasting legacy—a conservation track record that rivals that of Teddy or Franklin Roosevelt. If the administration follows through on the ambitious goals laid out in today’s report, President Biden would be able to point to millions of newly-protected acres across the country, driven by locally-led conservation efforts.
“Those efforts are underway now. From Avi Kwa Ame in Nevada to Chumash Heritage in California to the Castner Range in Texas, community leaders are calling on the Biden administration to take action to protect national public lands and waters. It will take designations like these—and many others to come—to reach the 30×30 goal.
“History has shown that protected lands strengthen local economies while conserving our natural heritage for future generations. In 2021, the America the Beautiful initiative set the stage for these bold conservation efforts. In 2022, we look forward to the president’s vision becoming a reality.”
LEARN MORE in the Center for Western Priorities’ Road to 30: Postcards multimedia series
- Bears Ears (Utah)
- Avi Kwa Ame (Nevada)
- Chumash Heritage (California)
- Castner Range (Texas)
- Greater Hart-Sheldon (Oregon & Nevada)
- Private conservation at Fetcher Ranch (Colorado)
- How America’s national trails connect communities
- The Road to 30 Interactive Report: How conserving 30% of US lands and waters can protect biodiversity, combat climate change, and benefit all Americans