Biden Administration Launches America the Beautiful Challenge

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Biden Administration announced the America the Beautiful Challenge, a $1 billion initiative to accelerate land, water, and wildlife conservation efforts across the United States. The initiative will be based on a public-private partnership to be administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, supported by an initial commitment of $440 million of federal funding. 

The Challenge will allow States, Tribal Nations, territories, local groups, non-governmental organizations, and others to apply for grants to support projects advancing America the Beautiful priorities, including protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030, watershed restoration, wildlife corridors, and expanding equitable access to the outdoors.

In response, Kirin Kennedy, Sierra Club’s Director for People and Lands Policy, released the following statement:

"We welcome the Biden Administration reaffirming their commitment to the 30x30 initiative.

"The science is clear – we must protect 30% of all lands and waters in this country if we are going to take on the intersecting challenges of the climate crisis, biodiversity crisis, and nature equity gap. Key to achieving that is the diverse, locally driven conservation projects the America the Beautiful Challenge will support.

"To fulfill the 30x30 initiative, we need to protect more lands and waters in the next decade than we did in the previous century. Today’s announcement could not come any sooner."