Pause on new leasing elevates conservation and pollution-free public lands

For Immediate Release

Contact: Tony Iallonardo, Director – DC Communications Strategy, tony_iallonardo@tws.org

Washington, DC (January 27, 2021)—Continuing his commitment to address the impacts to the nation’s land and water from climate change, news reports say President Biden is expected to sign an Executive Order today that turns the tide on extractive uses of the nation’s public lands, takes initial steps to transition these lands and waters to be a net-zero source of emissions by 2030 and jumpstarts a community-driven initiative called “30x30” to save nature that is rapidly disappearing across the United States and the globe.

The following statements are from The Wilderness Society’s president, Jamie Williams, and community partners across the country, who are already working to build a resilient network of protected lands and waters and increase equitable participation in conservation decisions:   

“The Biden Administration’s executive order is anticipated to elevate people and nature above polluters on our nation’s public lands. A leasing pause is a first step in transitioning public lands to be part of the solution to the climate crisis. The 30x30 initiative will help communities build a thriving natural network that provides refuge for wildlife, safeguards our food systems and drinking water, ensures equitable access to nature and absorbs carbon from our atmosphere.

“Developing a clean energy economy and transitioning to pollution-free public lands requires investment in communities that depend on the work and revenue from fossil fuel production and those most impacted by its pollution. Similarly, 30x30 goals must be equitably led by Indigenous nations and Black, Latino/x and other communities of color that have been excluded from conservation decisions but who face greater impacts of nature loss, pollution and climate change because of systemic racism inherent in conservation policies for over 100 years.

“We have urgent work ahead to ensure communities across the country engage in local land and water conservation that supports their own future and, collectively, become leaders in a global network to save the fragile planet that sustains us all.”

Jamie Williams, President, The Wilderness Society

“Hispanic Access Foundation applauds President Biden taking bold actions that address the climate emergency and its impact on Latino communities by committing to protecting 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. Latinos and other communities of color are disproportionately deprived of nature's benefits, meaning they are missing out on the parks that give us open space to breathe and for our children to play.

“Our commitment to protect and restore nature must ensure that our communities are able to access and enjoy these treasured spaces, which provide not only areas to recreate but also cleaner air, shade, protection from floods, and a reprieve from stress, depression, and anxiety. Committing to protect nature is only the first step - these benefits can only be realized if 30x30 is implemented equitably, in urban areas as much as rural areas, and made to be accessible and welcoming to all.”

Maite Arce, President and CEO, Hispanic Access Foundation                                                                                      

ARIZONA

"Wild Arizona welcomes the Biden administration’s Executive Order shifting our nation’s focus on public lands to nature conservation and protecting Indigenous homelands. By sustaining and restoring forests, grasslands, rivers, and springs here in the Grand Canyon state, we’re ensuring those life-giving habitats can buffer Arizona’s diverse communities from the impacts of a changing climate and bolstering nature’s own proven climate response strategy. 

“We’ve learned during this global pandemic that human health and our activities are interconnected with the natural world and with each other. Environmental justice is thus central to achieving 30X30 goals. Every local action is indeed a global action. 

“Community-based volunteer efforts like our Wild Stew stewardship program bring us together outside and inspire new advocates: to give back, restore, and raise our voices for critical places in Arizona like riparian areas along the Colorado River, national forest trails including the Arizona Trail, and always, working with local Indigenous communities to protect Grand Canyon from the threat of uranium mining—all of which collectively helps Arizona contribute to national 30x30 conservation goals."

Kelly Burke, Executive Director, Wild Arizona                                                                            

CALIFORNIA

“Access to nature and the outdoors is a precious resource in the largely urban environment of the Los Angeles region. The ability to exercise, play and meet each other outdoors is crucial to public health. People of color face the greatest challenges accessing the few natural areas we have left, such as the San Gabriel Mountains and smaller urban parks and trails. Because these green spaces are a lifeline for local communities, the 30x30 campaign is critical to achieving equity and social justice for all.”

Belinda Faustinos, Executive Director, LA Nature for All                                                                                                        

COLORADO

“The 30x30 initiative can help us in Colorado re-balance to our relationship to the land and enable communities to more equitably reap the benefits of access to our beautiful outdoors. We must continue to protect ancestral and treaty lands of tribes and ensure communities can advocate for their own conservation priorities. The protection of areas like Thompson Divide in western Colorado and other local public lands across the country are important pieces of the climate solution if we work together and bring resources to the communities working hard to protect our health and our future.”

Beatriz Soto, Executive Director, Defiende Nuestra Tierra

COLORADO – NEW MEXICO

"The 30 x 30 initiative is an essential step in healing the damages of man-made climate change that threaten the important natural wonders and cultural resources all along the Continental Divide. The protection of these lands and waters is vital for the communities that depend on the vibrancy of the outdoors and the outdoor economy for their livelihoods, including many Continental Divide Trail gateway communities. 30 x 30 will help ensure landscapes, like those along the Divide, remain healthy, vibrant and intact not just for future generations of CDT visitors, but for the landscapes, watersheds, and wildlife that call these places home."

Teresa Martinez, Executive Director, Continental Divide Trail Coalition   

MAINE

“Maine’s economy and outdoor businesses are dependent on the health and well-being of natural areas – which give us clean air, fresh drinking water and safe places to get outside. Access to the outdoors has become more important than ever during the pandemic. Increasing opportunities for outdoor recreation can play a significant role in helping Maine’s economy and our communities recover and rebound, which is why putting a 30x30 plan in place at the national and state levels to protect more natural areas and ensure equitable access to the outdoors is so important.” 

Jenny Kordick, Executive Director, Maine Outdoor Brands

####

To speak with a TWS policy, science or regional staff member, contact Tony Iallonardo at tony_iallonardo@tws.org.