Senator Udall, Representative Haaland, and State Representative Louis join “Road to 30” virtual event in New Mexico
DENVER—The Center for Western Priorities’ “Road to 30” virtual tour of states across the West emphasizes the importance of a bold proposal to protect 30 percent of America’s lands and water by 2030, known as the 30x30 initiative. The fifth event, co-hosted by the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club, will feature New Mexico Senator Tom Udall, New Mexico Representative Deb Haaland, State Representative Georgene Louis, and Camilla Feibelman, Director of the Sierra Club’s Rio Grande Chapter, focusing on protecting New Mexico’s natural heritage, biodiversity, public health, and economic recovery from the impacts of the coronavirus.
WHAT:
Road to 30 virtual event to discuss the bold vision to protect 30 percent of America’s lands and water by 2030, highlighting the pressing need to conserve our natural heritage, strengthen communities, and improve public health.
WHO:
Tom Udall, United States Senator for New Mexico
Deb Haaland, United States Representative for New Mexico’s 1st district
Georgene Louis, State Representative for New Mexico District 26
Camilla Feibelman, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Director
Jennifer Rokala, Executive Director of Center for Western Priorities
WHEN:
Monday, September 21, 2020
1-1:30pm MT / 3-3:30pm ET
HOW TO JOIN:
VIDEO & AUDIO RECORDING:
A recording of the virtual event will be available online following the event.
BACKGROUND ON 30X30 INITIATIVE:
Nature across the world is collapsing, according to biologists. Global human activity has altered three-quarters of the Earth’s lands, and within the United States, about a football field worth of natural area is converted to human development every 30 seconds. Hundreds of scientists are warning the rapid loss of natural space will result in a mass extinction, exacerbated by climate change. In the face of this crisis, ecologists are urging the conservation of at least 30 percent of the planet’s lands and oceans by 2030 (the 30×30 goal), a critical step that can protect nature, strengthen communities, and improve public health.
In a new Winning the West poll from the Center for Western Priorities, 75 percent of voters in five Mountain West swing states favored the 30×30 initiative, with majority support across party lines for the ambitious conservation goal.
For more details on the virtual tour and for more information about 30x30, please visit our website: Roadto30.org, and follow @Protect30x30 on Twitter. To learn more, check out our new video explaining the 30x30 initiative, featuring National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Dr. Enric Sala and U.S. Senator Tom Udall.
For more information, visit westernpriorities.org. To speak with an expert on public lands, contact Aaron Weiss at 720-279-0019 or aaron@westernpriorities.org.