Key Wins for Conservation in 2024

According to The Wilderness Society, despite a potentially grim future for conservation, “From landmark rules that make polluters pay their fair share to the expansion of national monuments, 2024 brought us solid wins worth celebrating—many of which position public lands as a vital part of the solution to the climate crisis.”

An article on the Society’s blog highlights some key wins, such as the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Public Lands Rule. While controversial (and challenged in court) in some states, the rule aims to expand protection for public lands and elevates conservation in the range of potential uses of federally owned lands. “Also in April, the BLM released its Renewable Energy Rule—a step toward accelerating the development of wind and solar projects on public lands, aligning with President Biden’s goal of achieving 100% clean electricity by 2035.”

Meanwhile, President Biden expanded the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in California, “ensuring Californians’ access to nature, protecting important cultural landscapes and preserving critical wildlife habitat.”

Indigenous groups in North Carolina and eastern Tennessee achieved an important win in the movement to reclaim Indigenous names on public lands with the renaming of Kuwohi.

“Significant progress has been made in safeguarding treasured landscapes from drilling and mining, with several key victories highlighting this momentum.” Just after the election, the Biden administration took action to secure key protections for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.