WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, Deputy Secretary Mike Connor and other senior Interior Administration officials will embark on a two-week nationwide tour to highlight progress the nation has made during the last eight years to: protect our nation’s lands, waters and wildlife; restore the nation-to-nation relationship with Native Americans and Alaska Natives; engage the next generation; and invest in sound science to inform decisions related to energy development, conservation and our changing climate.
Thursday, December 8
Strengthening Tribal Nations (New Mexico and Washington State)
In her final visit to Indian Country, Secretary Jewell will join newly appointed Bureau of Indian Affairs Director Bruce Loudermilk and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Director Tony Dearman at the Acoma Pueblo in New Mexico. Loudermilk and Dearman are career civil servants that will help carry on the Obama Administration’s commitment to restore tribal homelands and improve outcomes for Native youth.
Secretary Jewell will tour the Pueblo where the Obama Administration recently restored more than 59,000 acres of land into trust for the benefit of the tribe. She will also talk to students and teachers at the Pueblo’s Sky City School that is transitioning from a BIE-operated school to one that is controlled by the Tribe.
Also on Thursday, Deputy Secretary Connor will visit the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community in Washington where he will make an announcement related to tribal self-determination and economic development.
Friday, December 9
Protecting America’s Natural and Cultural Heritage (Las Cruces, New Mexico)
Secretary Jewell will join community members to celebrate the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, designated by President Obama in 2014 as part of the Bureau of Land Management’s National Conservation Lands. President Obama has protected more lands and waters than any President in history.
Secretary Jewell and Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce CEO/President Carrie Hamblen will host a roundtable with business and community leaders to discuss the economic benefits that healthy and protected public lands provide to local communities, as well as the ongoing work to expand access to the outdoors for diverse communities.
Tuesday, December 13
Building a Sustainable Energy Future
Secretary Jewell will announce new steps to support renewable energy, both on public lands and offshore waters. Over the past eight years, Interior has established an enduring renewable energy program and permitted 60 wind, solar and geothermal projects that, when built, could power five million American homes.
Wednesday, December 14
Taking Action on Climate Change (San Francisco, CA)
Secretary Jewell will deliver keynote remarks at the American Geophysical Union’s Fall Meeting in San Francisco. Secretary Jewell will discuss the critical role that science has played in the President’s historic Climate Action Plan and offer thoughts on continued need for transparent, independent and sound science to guide policy in the next administration.
Ensuring Healthy Watersheds (Las Vegas, NV)
Secretary Jewell and Deputy Secretary Connor will attend the annual Colorado River Water Users Association Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada where they will discuss how Interior is meeting the water challenges of our time by pursuing new, creative ideas and solutions that address the effects of climate change on water resources, improve drought resiliency and long-term water management strategies, and help to ensure stable and secure water supplies for future generations. Secretary Jewell will make an important announcement regarding Glen Canyon Dam.
Thursday, December 15
Engaging the Next Generation (Austin, TX)
Secretary Jewell will make a major announcement in Austin related to the Interior Department’s efforts to inspire millions of kids to play, learn, serve and work outdoors. Through investing in opportunities to get young people outside, Interior is bridging the growing disconnect between kids and nature and engaging the next generation to be stewards of our land, water and wildlife.
Additional logistical details will be provided in the coming days.
