The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced ~$79.2 million in Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund grants to further conservation and permanent protection of ~56,000 acres of habitat on non-federal land for 55 listed and at-risk species in 13 states.
In commenting on the grants, Interior Sec. Deb Haaland said that the administration’s “America the Beautiful” initiative to conserve at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030 “is about pursuing a collaborative and inclusive approach to conservation,” adding that the grants “further[] our promise to conserve and restore America’s lands and waters for the benefit of all.”
During a visit to the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge, Haaland talked about the conservation contributions of urban wildlife refuges and highlighted the administration’s 30×30 initiative. Haaland said that the San Diego refuge “serve[s] as a model of what it looks like to create inclusive spaces that all people, regardless of their background, can access.”
In reporting on Haaland’s visit, DOI called conservation stewardship and equitable access to public lands “an essential component” of 30×30.
