TL/DR –
The President of the United States highlighted the importance of hunting and fishing to the country’s culture and environment, as well as the significant conservation efforts made during his administration. He noted that in his first week as president, he signed an executive order setting a goal to conserve or restore at least 30 percent of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030, and that they have protected more territory than any other president since JFK, including expanding access for hunting and fishing on over two million acres of wildlife refuge. He also emphasized the existential threat posed by climate change to wildlife and their habitats, and the efforts by his administration to fight it through initiatives such as the Inflation Reduction Act which invests in clean energy, environmental justice, and community resilience to extreme weather.
The Significance of Hunting and Fishing to America’s Conservation Efforts
Hunting and fishing are part of America’s heritage and play a vital role in the conservation of our natural wonders. These activities, integral to both American and Tribal Nations’ cultures and livelihoods, have seen tremendous support from my administration since day one.
In my first week as president, I established the “America the Beautiful” initiative, setting an ambitious goal to conserve or restore at least 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030. This conservation effort has seen the protection of more territory than any presidency since John F. Kennedy, including Alaska’s Tongass Forest and the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments.
We have also expanded hunting and fishing access on over two million acres of our national wildlife refuge system, marking the largest expansion in recent history. Our Administration continues to collaborate with the Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council, the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior, to further enhance public land and water access for hunters and anglers.
Addressing the Impact of Climate Change on Wildlife Habitats
While we celebrate these achievements, we also acknowledge the existential threat climate change poses to wildlife and their habitats. To address this, we are making unprecedented investments in combating the climate crisis through the landmark Inflation Reduction Act. This Act strengthens clean energy, advances environmental justice, and increases community resilience to extreme weather, ensuring that hunting and fishing can continue sustainably for generations.
National Hunting and Fishing Day
Hunting and fishing are more than just pastimes—they are ingrained in our national identity and crucial to our prosperity. On National Hunting and Fishing Day, we honor these contributions and recommit to working with sportspeople, landowners, state officials, local leaders, and Tribal Nations to safeguard our great outdoors. I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., proclaim September 23, 2023, as National Hunting and Fishing Day and call upon all Americans to observe this day with relevant programs and activities.
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