Deb Haaland Secretary at U.S. Department of Interior | Official website
Assistant Secretary Shannon Estenoz recently concluded a weeklong tour of national parks in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina to commemorate National Park Week and emphasize the positive impacts of investments from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The National Park Service has committed $195 million for climate restoration and resilience projects over the next decade, with a focus on protecting America’s national parks for future generations.
"In Biscayne National Park, supported by funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, teams of scientists are at work on projects to save coral reefs and are working to build their capacity to protect the millions of species that live primarily on or exclusively in association with them," said Assistant Secretary Estenoz. Coral reefs play a crucial role in providing shelter, food, and breeding grounds for marine plants and animals, while also offering protection to coastal communities from storms.
During her visit, Estenoz highlighted the importance of connecting communities with outdoor spaces and discussed federal grant opportunities such as the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program. This initiative allows urban communities to create new outdoor recreation areas and enhance existing parks to promote outdoor engagement in underserved areas.
Estenoz also chaired the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force meeting, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of federal, state, Tribal, and local governments in protecting and restoring the Everglades. In South Carolina, she visited the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park in Beaufort County, which commemorates the historic period from 1861-1900 when the United States addressed the integration of newly freed African Americans into society.
Furthermore, Estenoz toured Fort Pulaski National Monument in Savannah, Georgia, as well as Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park in Charleston County, South Carolina, underscoring the rich historical significance of these sites.
The comprehensive investments from President Biden’s agenda are not only safeguarding the natural beauty and biodiversity of national parks but also contributing to the economic growth of local communities. Assistant Secretary Estenoz’s engagements across the South have highlighted the crucial role of these investments in preserving America’s natural and historical heritage for current and future generations.
