Rep. Debra Haaland leads push to protect 30% of our land and ocean by 2030

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 2020 ---- The Wilderness Society praises Rep. Debra Haaland (D-NM) for introducing a House resolution that promotes the idea of expanded land and water protection in the United States. 

The resolution aims to immediately address the global extinction and climate crises. Public lands can and should be essential parts of the solution to these connected global challenges. 

Statement by Drew McConville, Wilderness Society Senior Managing Director, Government Relations

“We need bold action to protect nature and connect large, healthy landscapes to help tackle climate change and the extinction crisis. Saving healthy lands and waters on a continental scale is necessary to slow the quickening loss of wildlife, protect the air we breathe and water we drink, and provide refuge and economic opportunities for all people. We applaud Representative Haaland and leaders in the House and Senate for their vision and leadership in the face of these unprecedented threats.”

H.Res. 835 expresses the “sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal Government should establish a national goal of conserving at least 30 percent of the land and ocean of the United States by 2030.”

The resolution is similar to one introduced in the Senate by Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) last year.

The Wilderness Society, founded in 1935, is the leading conservation organization working to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. With more than one million members and supporters, The Wilderness Society has led the effort to permanently protect 111 million acres of wilderness and to ensure sound management of our shared national lands. www.wilderness.org.   

Contact: Michael Reinemer, 202-429-3949, michael_reinemer@tws.org