PORTLAND, Maine – On Wednesday, Oct. 12, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will deliver keynote remarks at Evening for the Environment, an event hosted by the Maine Conservation Alliance to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the National Park Service and the recent designation of the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument in northern Maine.
While in Maine, Secretary Jewell will also visit the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge to help celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week (October 9-15). The Interior Department’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the largest conservation system in the world, overseeing more than 850 million acres of lands and waters in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1966 in cooperation with the State of Maine to protect valuable salt marshes and estuaries for migratory birds. The refuge is named for Rachel Carson – a former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee – who worked to keep America’s waters healthy by exposing the dangers of DDT in her famous book Silent Spring. Carson’s work as an educator, scientist and writer mobilized America’s modern environmental movement.
At the Evening for the Environment event, Secretary Jewell will join business and community leaders, elected officials and environmental advocates to celebrate the National Park Service’s Centennial year, focusing on connecting with and creating the next generation of park visitors, supporters and advocates.
In honor of the National Park Service Centennial, President Obama designated the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument on Aug. 24, 2016. The designation followed a donation by Elliotsville Plantation, Inc. (EPI) of 87,500 acres of land in the Katahdin region to the National Park Service. The EPI donation is accompanied by an endowment of $20 million to supplement federal funds for initial park operational needs and infrastructure development at the new monument, and a pledge of another $20 million in future philanthropic support.
The new national monument, managed by the National Park Service, includes the stunning East Branch of the Penobscot River and a portion of Maine’s North Woods that is rich in biodiversity and known for its outstanding opportunities to hike, canoe, hunt, fish, snowmobile, snowshoe and cross-country ski. These and other traditional activities will continue to be available in the new national monument.
Who:
Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
What:
Remarks at Maine's Evening for Environment Celebration
When:
Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016
6:45 PM EDT – Speaking program begins
Where:
58 Fore Street
Portland, Maine 04101
Source: Department of Interior
