Increasing fossil fuel production on public lands. Gutting federal agencies that oversee national parks and forests. Removing protections for Alaska’s lands and waters. Limiting environmental reviews and undermining the Endangered Species Act. These are just a few of the extremely unpopular actions called for in the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 “Mandate for Leadership” report. They are […]
Learn More National parks are some of America’s most popular outdoor spaces. As the country works to protect 30% of America by 2030, these cherished places can serve as conservation hubs from which entire ecosystems can be conserved for future generations. This report is part of our larger “Road to 30” interactive storymap series.
Learn More The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) is a landmark effort to conserve the iconic California desert and focus renewable energy development in suitable areas—a consensus plan with overwhelming support. As the country strives toward the 30×30 goal, the DRECP can serve as a case study of successful multiple-use planning to combat both the climate and nature crises. This report is part of our larger “Road to 30” interactive storymap series.
Learn More Did you know that climate change is already threatening public lands recreation? Mounting climate change impacts can be felt across the country. Just a few of those impacts include lengthened and more intense wildfire seasons that create poor air quality, decreased snowpack and ski season length, impacts on wildlife and fish populations, and decreased water recreation access. It gets worse: research shows that many of our public lands are being impacted more rapidly than the rest of the country.
Learn More In 2020, The Center for Western Priorities “hit the road” for a virtual tour around the West to discuss the bold 30×30 vision for conserving America’s natural heritage. We met with local conservation leaders along the way, exploring how this goal can benefit communities and public health and help with economic recovery following the COVID-19 outbreak. Check out materials from the tour, such as event recordings, blogs, and interactive storymaps.
Learn More During the Trump administration, changes were announced to weaken enforcement of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a bedrock environmental law that protects animals and plants that are nearing extinction. Changes by the Trump administration included weakening protections for “threatened” species, reducing critical habitat protections, and ignoring impacts of climate change or economic consequences.
Learn More In the absence of leadership at the federal level, many states in the West are moving to promote conservation and clean energy, while enacting safeguards on oil and gas development. Indeed, Western state legislatures used their 2019 sessions to pass landmark renewable energy and climate legislation, bills to celebrate our public lands, and measures that increase funding for recreation and wildlife conservation.
Learn More This report outlines how far the agency has come after one year under Secretary Jewell’s leadership on her five core conservation goals. This follows on a previous report – “Secretary Jewell’s Year of Action: Her Predecessors and a Path Forward in 2014”
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