The Biden-Harris Administration announced the "America the Beautiful" plan in May to preserve and protect U.S. land, waters and wildlife.
The goal of the plan is to conserve 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior website.
A report by the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, DOI, and the White House Council on Environmental Quality, outlines eight guiding principles for the nationwide effort, including a pursuit of collaborative approaches, as well as a commitment to supporting voluntary conservation efforts of farmers, ranchers, and fishers.
“The President’s challenge is a call to action to support locally led conservation and restoration efforts of all kinds and all over America, wherever communities wish to safeguard the lands and waters they know and love,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory stated in a DOI press release. “Doing so will not only protect our lands and waters but also boost our economy and support jobs nationwide.”
The report highlighted six priorities for focus, investments and collaboration including: Creating more parks and safe outdoor opportunities in nature-deprived communities, supporting Tribally led conservation and restoration priorities and expanding collaborative conservation of fish and wildlife habitats and corridors.
To help measure and track progress toward the nation’s first conservation goal, the report calls for the establishment of an interagency working group, led by the U.S. Geological Survey, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and NOAA in partnership with other land and ocean management agencies.
According to the report, the working group will develop the American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas, a tool designed to showcase the contributions of farmers, ranchers, forest owners and private landowners, as well as the contributions of fishery management councils and others across the United States.
“This report is only the starting point on the path to fulfilling the conservation vision that President Biden has outlined,” the report stated. “Where this path leads over the next decade will be determined not by our agencies, but by the ideas and leadership of local communities. It is our job to listen, learn, and provide support along the way to help strengthen economies and pass on healthy lands, waters, and wildlife to the generations to come.”
