Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Department of the Interior debuted plans to increase Tribal co-stewardship of public lands and waters in the United States, among other efforts to strengthen nation-to-nation consultations with Tribes and protect public lands across the county.
At the 2023 White House Tribal Nations Summit, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, and Interior have signed nearly 200 new co-stewardship agreements with Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations and consortiums, in accordance with Joint Secretary's Order 3403 (S.O. 3403). S.O. 3403 commits federal departments to Tribal and federal co-stewardship of federal lands, waters and wildlife. USDA and DOI signed onto the order in 2021, while Commerce joined as party in 2022.
Interior also released its second annual report on Tribal co-stewardship, outlining the implementation of S.O. 3403.
Haaland also announced additional steps to center Indigenous knowledge in Interior’s work and protect Indigenous sacred sites.
In response, Sierra Club’s Director of Conservation Campaigns Dan Ritzman, released the following statement:
“Since time immemorial, Tribes have stewarded the landscapes they have called home. Today’s announcement recognizes that Indigenous history and knowledge are essential to the long-term protection of our country’s public lands and waters.
The Biden Administration has reaffirmed its commitment not only to the protection of the sacred Indigenous sites that define so many of our public landscapes but to including Tribal Nations in the long-term management and safeguarding of those landscapes. At this critical moment in the effort to take on the climate crisis, we must work together to protect the lands, waters and biodiversity we all need to thrive.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.