** 30x30 goal to save nature gaining steam
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Thursday, October 22, 2020
The Desert Lily Preserve in California is part of the innovative Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan ([link removed]) | Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management ([link removed])
The goal is to protect 30 percent of America's lands and oceans by 2030 ([link removed]) (30x30). The national 30x30 goal ([link removed]) has been championed in Congress ([link removed]) by Senator Tom Udall and Congresswoman Deb Haaland ([link removed]) . Only about 12 percent of America's lands and a quarter of its oceans are currently protected.
The 30x30 goal ([link removed]) is in response to warnings from hundreds of leading scientists that nature across the world is collapsing and that this rapid loss of natural space is resulting in a mass extinction ([link removed]) , exacerbated by climate change. Here in the U.S. it is estimated that about a football field ([link removed]) worth of natural area is converted to human development every 30 seconds. In the face of this crisis, scientists stated that the 30x30 goal is necessary ([link removed]) to prevent the unraveling of fundamental natural systems.
And the goal is gaining momentum. Presidential nominee Joe Biden's platform includes a commitment to the 30x30 goal ([link removed]) . House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also included the 30x30 goal in a House climate package released ahead of the election.
States across the country have also shown support, most recently when California Governor Newsom signed an executive 30x30 order ([link removed]) earlier this month. Support extends far beyond the political sphere: conservation groups have rallied behind the goal, and earlier this week a group of 13 major hunting and fishing groups rolled out a community statement in support of 30x30 ([link removed]) .
In order to achieve the 30x30 goal, America will need to find diverse and innovative ways to protect landscapes that support local communities and preserve the land's specific values. The Center for Western Priorities is producing a series of interactive storymaps ([link removed]) showing key ways to get to 30x30. The storymaps include varied topics such as Tribal Land Management ([link removed]) , National Wildlife Refuges ([link removed]) , Wildlife Corridors ([link removed]) , and National Parks ([link removed]) , among many others.
Quick hits
** Wildfire explodes in Colorado's Grand County, prompts national park closures
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Colorado Sun ([link removed]) | KKTV ([link removed]) | Coloradoan ([link removed]) | Gazette ([link removed])
** BLM, Denver Parks & Rec take cues from national forests, close public lands in Colorado Front Range counties due to wildfire risk
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9News ([link removed]) | Colorado Sun ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
** Senators seek to block appeal of court ruling ousting Pendley, BLM land plans
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The Hill ([link removed])
** In a continuing pattern of Interior ethics conflicts, ex-Interior official violated Trump ethics pledge by meeting with former associates
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The Hill ([link removed])
** New Mexico's oil and gas collapse could last years amid calls for economic diversification
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C ([link removed]) arlsbad Current Argus ([link removed])
** The oil lobby's COVID-19 wishlist
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HuffPost ([link removed])
** Oil jobs are volatile; green energy offers stability and passion
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N ([link removed]) ational Public Radio ([link removed])
** Why fire is our best tool against megafires, especially when agencies are low on funds for prevention
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V ([link removed]) ox ([link removed]) | L ([link removed]) os Angeles Times ([link removed])
Quote of the day
Protection of America's lands and waters is something that should be important to every sportsperson. It is also critical that regulated hunting and fishing be allowed to continue where appropriate."
—Becky Humphries, CEO of the National Wild Turkey Federation, E ([link removed]) &E News ([link removed])
Picture this
** @N ([link removed]) atlParkService ([link removed])
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“Put a bird on it.” - Bryce Shivers and Lisa Eversman How about eight European Starlings riding on the back of a bison? Learn more about bison in parks at [link removed] ([link removed]) : A row of birds perched on a grazing bison at @WindCaveNPS ([link removed]) #FindYourPark ([link removed]) #BuffaloWings ([link removed])
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