BOULDER, Colo. – Today, Outdoor Industry Association released the following statement after the Biden administration unveiled the Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful report, outlining guidelines for conserving 30 percent of public lands and waters by the year 2030:
“Our outdoor spaces are a place of refuge to safely socialize, not to mention improve physical and mental health,” said Lise Aangeenbrug, Executive Director of Outdoor Industry Association. “Prioritizing conservation of public lands and waters is critical to ensuring the outdoors remains accessible for everyone, mitigating the impacts of the climate crisis, and spurring economic recovery. This is the opportunity for which many of us have been waiting to enact long-lasting conservation goals, equitable access, and climate results that the outdoor industry, our communities, and the economy will depend on for generations to come.
“But as we all know, conservation efforts are not one-size-fits-all – for example, what works in Virginia may not be suitable for a situation in Montana. That is why the outdoor industry is particularly pleased this report puts an emphasis on supporting locally-driven conservation projects across the country.
“As the Biden administration continues to pursue these laudable conservation goals, this blueprint is an important first step to ensuring these efforts are thoughtful and inclusive. It is essential for the federal government to work in tandem with state governments, private landowners, and all interested stakeholders. We are glad to see that guiding principle prioritized in this report.”
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About the Outdoor Industry Association
Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry. OIA unites and serves 1,200 manufacturer, supplier, sales representative and retailer members through its focus on trade and recreation policy, sustainable business innovation and outdoor participation. For more information, visit https://outdoorindustry.org/.
