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On Friday, the Biden administration launched conservation.gov, a beta version of the “American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas” which will track the conservation status of public, state, and private lands across the U.S. This tool came about through a public comment process in which the administration invited scientists and policy experts to weigh in on how to track land conservation across the country.
“Conservation.gov will serve as one tool to empower communities across the country to identify opportunities to further their vision for conservation,” said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland in a statement.
The Atlas, when complete, will be an important resource for federal, state, and local governments, communities, and advocacy groups that are working to ensure the country meets President Joe Biden’s America the Beautiful goal of protecting 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.
“Creating a single reputable source of conservation data is not an easy task, and I applaud the Biden administration for taking the first steps to build a tool that will measure America’s progress,” said Center for Western Priorities Executive Director Jennifer Rokala. “As states, counties, and cities add data to the Atlas, it will become an invaluable resource for America’s future. I also look forward to seeing more acres labeled as ‘protected’ as the president continues to designate and expand national monuments.”
Happy Earth Day!
April 22 is Earth Day, which celebrates environmental achievements and highlights the importance of taking action towards a more sustainable future. “This work has never been more urgent,” said President Biden in an Earth Day proclamation. “Climate change is the existential crisis of our time; no one can deny its impacts and staggering costs anymore.”
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This is truly a ‘clock is ticking’ moment. Are you ever going to get to a point where everyone is totally happy? No. That’s the nature of consensus. What is important is to look at the BLM plan as a framework rather than a prescriptive management plan.”
