** Why the U.S. urgently needs a Civilian Climate Corps
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Friday, September 3, 2021
Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse, lead sponsor of the Civilian Climate Corps Act. Photo: www.neguse.house.gov ([link removed])

Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse is at the forefront of a group of 80 lawmakers from both chambers who are urging House and Senate leadership to include the Civilian Climate Corps Act ([link removed]) in the final budget reconciliation bill. The House Natural Resources Committee began consideration of the reconciliation bill ([link removed]) yesterday, which includes $3 billion to fund the establishment of the Civilian Climate Corps.

In a letter ([link removed]-) sent to congressional leadership in July, Congressman Neguse wrote ([link removed]-) , “In the face of multiple challenges that our communities in Colorado are facing—unemployment, catastrophic wildfires, and climate change—the creation of a Civilian Climate Corps will bring in essential resources to put Coloradans back to work, and restore our lands and our communities." Currently, youth corps run by states, nonprofits, and universities engage about 20,000 diverse young people ([link removed]) annually on projects across the country. From 2019–2020
([link removed]) , they restored 1.73 million acres, planted 1.3 million trees, and built or maintained over 25,000 miles of trails that help sustain the outdoor recreation economy.

As National Preparedness Month begins and nearly 5 million acres ([link removed]) have been burned due to wildfires that are still raging across the West, Congressman Neguse renewed his call for action on the bill in an opinion piece ([link removed]) co-written with Mary Ellen Sprenkel, the president and CEO of The Corps Network, the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps. They write in The Hill ([link removed]) , "Investing in a robust Civilian Climate Corps (CCC) would give us a historic opportunity to strengthen our climate resiliency and develop the wildfire response and recovery workforce we urgently need."
Quick hits


** Wolves' perilous path to Colorado
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High Country News ([link removed])


** Fossil fuel bankruptcies are leading to more abandoned wells
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Bloomberg Law ([link removed])


** BLM seeks info on identity of vandals who defaced petroglyphs near Moab, UT
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Moab Sun News ([link removed])


** Opinion: Why the U.S. urgently needs a Civilian Climate Corps
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The Hill ([link removed])


** As California burns, anger is directed at the U.S. Forest Service
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Sacramento Bee ([link removed])


** House Natural Resources Committee begins debate on reconciliation bill
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CNN ([link removed])


** Will the current drought in California lead to an expansion of thirsty orchards?
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed])


** EPA just detailed all the ways climate change will hit U.S. racial minorities the hardest. It’s a long list.
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Washington Post ([link removed])
Quote of the day
As a state filled with place-based and water-based communities, we understand the importance of water as part of our culture and identity and way of life. We have communities that have lived here for generations and since time immemorial who have come together to find innovative solutions to water challenges.”
—New Mexico Representative Melanie Stansbury ([link removed])
Picture this


** @USFWSMtnPrairie ([link removed])
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Our world is so big and vast, and sometimes we miss the little details. Take a closer look at this Monarch butterfly with us! See its intricate spots, fuzzy body, and the texture of its wings. If you look hard, you can see pollen grains on its wings! Photo: @USFWS ([link removed])

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