WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday, Oct. 16, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act with keynote remarks at the National Wilderness Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The conference brings together a broad coalition of non-profit organizations, academic institutions, businesses, government agencies and citizens to discuss important conservation measures, as well as the need to engage the next generation of outdoor stewards.
Secretary Jewell is expected to discuss the Administration's ongoing commitment to work with local communities to protect and conserve open spaces and special places that support wildlife, outdoor recreation and fuel our economy. A recent Interior Department report found that national parks, wildlife refuges, monuments and other public lands hosted an estimated 407 million recreation visits in 2013 and that these visits alone contributed $41 billion to the economy and supported about 355,000 jobs nationwide.
Jewell will also discuss the need for Congress to reauthorize and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act. Also celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Land and Water Conservation Fund uses a small portion of revenues from federal offshore oil and gas leasing to boost local economies, support clean watersheds and provide outdoor recreation opportunities across the nation.
WHO:
Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
WHAT:
Keynote Remarks at National Wilderness Conference and Media Availability
WHEN:
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014
10:15 a.m. MDT - Remarks at Hyatt Regency Grand Pavilion
10:45a.m. MDT - Media availability at Hyatt Regency 2nd Floor Interview Room
WHERE:
Hyatt Grand Pavilion
330 Tijeras NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
RSVP:
Credentialed members of the media interested in covering the event are encouraged to RSVP HERE by Oct. 15, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. MDT.
Source: Department of Interior
