Commonsense Conservation: We Owe It to Future Generations to Act

President Obama and I believe that we have a moral obligation to the next generation to leave our land, water, and wildlife better than we found it. Yesterday, I spoke at the National Press Club to build out the Administration’s vision for conservation that will strengthen our economy and ensure that we pass along our nation’s rich legacy to the next generation – a path forward that includes balanced infrastructure and energy development, conservation and engaging youth on our public lands.

I invite you to watch the remarks, which are available here.  The full text – as prepared for delivery – is also available here.

At Interior, we are working to protect the places and stories that Americans care about most – particularly during this time when our natural resources are facing unprecedented challenges from climate change and a growing population.

In yesterday’s remarks, I outlined the need for commonsense, bipartisan Congressional action to support our national parks, wildlife refuges, rivers and conservation lands.  I also issued my first Secretarial Order to establish a Department-wide mitigation strategy that will encourage balanced development and landscape-level planning.

Finally, I set some ambitious goals for this Department to engage the next generation through education, employment and volunteer opportunities on public lands.  For the health of our economy and our public lands, it’s critical that we work now to establish meaningful and deep connections between young people – from every background and every community – and the great outdoors. 

I look forward to working with the President, my colleagues in the Cabinet, Congress, and external partners such as schools, communities, tribes, non-profits and businesses to leverage our resources and turn this conservation vision into reality.