Shannon Estenoz was sworn in July 12 as the new Interior Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Secretary Deb Haaland selected Estenoz, who has 24 years of experience working on conservation issues, for the position, according to a press release from the Department of the Interior. 

Prior to her selection, Estenoz was the chief operating officer of the Everglades Foundation. 

“I am humbled and honored to serve as Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks at a crucial time for America," she said. "I look forward to working collaboratively with Secretary Haaland, the Department’s talented public servants, and people from every corner of the country to ensure the conservation of America’s public lands, wildlife, and precious natural resources.” 

In her new position, Estenoz will work on large-scale projects such as managing climate control. 

“Shannon’s decades of experience protecting and conserving our public lands and the wildlife who call them home is invaluable," Haaland said. "She will be an incredible asset as Interior plays a key part in the Biden-Harris administration’s whole-of-government approach to tackling the climate and nature crises.” 

The timing of the appointment is important, with many Americans taking up outdoor activities in the wake of COVID-19.

“The year that we’ve been through as a nation is perfect evidence for how important it is for folks to have access to outdoor spaces," Estenoz said. "So many Americans have taken refuge in the parks in the neighborhoods, in their communities. And for folks that don’t have access to those spaces, it’s been that much harder to cope with the year that we’ve been through.”

Estenoz is a fifth-generation Key West, Florida, native.

She studied international affairs and civil engineering at Florida State University.