Statement: Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful Plan Opportunity to Unite Stakeholders in Protecting Public Lands and Waters

Today the Biden-Harris administration introduced the Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful Plan, outlining a 10-year goal to restore and conserve America’s lands, waters, and wildlife in a collaborative approach that includes locally led, nationwide efforts with various stakeholders such as Tribal communities, ranchers, anglers, and farmers.  

Developed by the U.S. Departments of the Interior, Agriculture and Commerce, and the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the goal prioritizes the conservation of 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. It also identifies six areas for the administration’s early focus that include: 

• The creation of more parks and safe outdoor opportunities in nature-deprived communities 

• Supporting Tribally-led conservation and restoration priorities 

• Expanding collaborative conservation of fish and wildlife habitats and corridors 

• Increasing access for outdoor recreation 

• Creating jobs through restoration and resilience projects and initiatives including the Civilian Climate Corps 

• Incentivizing and rewarding the voluntary conservation efforts of  anglers, ranchers, farmers, and forest owners 

Additionally, the report calls for the establishment of a working group that will identify a tool to better reflect the contributions of farmers, ranchers, forest owners, and private landowners, who are some of America’s most effective conservationists and increasingly need support in restoring degraded natural areas. 

“The Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful Plan will improve access to outdoor spaces, restore degraded lands and waters, and foster a united approach in tackling the climate crises,” said Camilla Simon, Executive Director of Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO). “A lot of what the report outlines intersects with our organization’s core values; that our nature-based experiences matter and are valuable to conservation planning, and that increased access to the outdoors benefits us all. I look forward to being a part of bringing this vision to fruition.” 

HECHO applauds the Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful Plan that supports an equitable and inclusive approach to conserving our nation’s lands and waters so that our communities can continue to fortify our connection to the outdoors.