Virtual Panel Discussion On Conservation Bill With Udall, Haaland This Week

The Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks are excited to host a panel discussion with Sen. Udall and Rep. Haaland to learn more about efforts to pass 30 x 30 legislation. 30 x 30 legislation seeks to use science driven decisions to protect 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. The panel will be hosted by local Las Cruces youth leaders who are seeking a way to address our climate crisis.

The best estimates currently have 12% of land and 26% of waters protected within the United States. We are losing and estimated football field of natural areas every 30 seconds, due in large part to climate change and human activity. This legislation seeks to protect those areas that will increase our biodiversity and ability to negate the impacts of a changing climate. Protecting land is one of the more effective and economically viable options we have to address the issues brought on by climate change.

“The Friends are excited to host this discussion, led by community youth, to learn more about efforts to protect our land and water. To have this conversation lead by local students as we develop our own unique New Mexico 30 x 30 road map is critical to community wellbeing” said, Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Executive Director Patrick Nolan. “I think we see in our national monument the importance of protecting land not just for future generations, but for those here now. Our monument is helping to ensure the health of our wildlife, native grasslands, and broader community. We need to start thinking of big ideas to solve our climate crisis, and 30 x 30 is certainly a big idea but one also driven by science”

This event will be done virtually through zoom on October 8th at 5pm MST.

To register for this free event please register here: 30 x 30 Panel with Sen. Udall & Rep. Haaland or visit the Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks website: Website Link to register.

Story published on KRWG.org October 5, 2020.