NRDC Seconds Jewell’s Call for More Resources for Public Lands

WASHINGTON  (October 31, 2013)—Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell struck just the right notes today in her first major speech since taking office when she called on Congress to provide more resources to protect our national parks, forests, and other public lands, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Frances Beinecke, President of NRDC, issued the following statement after Jewell’s speech:

“We look forward to working with her to turn her vision for a strong conservation program into action. Congress needs to adequately fund our public lands, where years of insufficient funding jeopardize the nation's landscapes and wildlife. It is important that we have a proactive conservation strategy.

“Climate change is the greatest environmental threat of our time, and I commend the Obama administration and Secretary Jewell in deploying a plan to combat this challenge.  The Interior Department has made tremendous strides in the last few years in developing solar, wind, and geothermal energy found on federal land. 

“There is no better time to embrace conservation measures to protect our most treasured places, and the fish and wildlife that depend on them, from reckless drilling.  We look forward to working with Secretary Jewell on this important issue.”