The Landscape
The year in public lands
Dec 27, 2023
Jennifer Rokala, the Executive Director of the Center for Western Priorities, joins the hosts to recap significant conservation efforts in 2023. They discuss the ban on logging in the Tongass National Forest and the Biden administration's protective measures for Bristol Bay and Minnesota's Wilderness. Community advocacy shines through with a public meeting for the proposed Bajnaav Show Ita Kukveni monument. They also tackle the urgency of finalizing public land rules for 2024 and the growing momentum for new national monument campaigns.
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Quick takeaways
- 2023 saw significant strides in public lands protection, highlighted by the Biden administration's ban on logging in the Tongass National Forest.
- Widespread public support for conservation initiatives, especially among younger voters, emphasizes the growing demand for meaningful environmental action in the coming years.
Deep dives
Significant Conservation Achievements
2023 marked a pivotal year for conservation efforts led by the Biden administration, most notably through the protection of large tracts of public land. In January, the administration banned logging and road building on nearly 9 million acres of the Tongass National Forest, crucial for its role as a significant carbon sink. Additionally, the controversial Pebble Mine proposal in Alaska was vetoed, safeguarding the world's richest wild salmon ecosystem in Bristol Bay, reflecting a growing commitment to reversing previous environmental neglect. The administration's actions throughout the year have been seen as crucial steps towards achieving long-term conservation goals.
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