Taking a break by a babbling brook on a winter Sunday afternoon in Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Glynn Wilson

Staff Report –

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Biden administration this week announced the allocation of $195 million in climate restoration and resilience projects over the next decade in America’s national parks.

President Biden’s “Investing in America” agenda calls for national parks across the United States to use this funding to prepare for the impacts of climate change, protect threatened and endangered animal species, restore damaged ecosystems and invest in conservation jobs, according to the press release from the Department of the Interior.

Many of these projects support restoration and resilience efforts in national parks located in small and rural communities, the agency pointed out, bringing much-needed investments and jobs that support local American economies.

“America’s national parks drive economic opportunity, extend nature-based solutions in our fight against climate change, and provide the chance for people of all ages to explore and enjoy the great outdoors,” Secretary Deb Haaland said in making the accouncement. “Through historic resources from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we are investing in these precious places, safeguarding endangered species and making our communities more resilient to climate change.”

The funding was initially announced as part of the president’s release of the Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) to document changes in the climate, national and regional impacts, and options for reducing damage for the present and future risks.

Every region of the country is already experiencing the impacts of climate change, scientists say, but ambitious climate action is already underway in every region as well.

“This investment in conservation demonstrates an unprecedented commitment towards tackling the climate crisis and strengthening America’s resilience,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “From protecting species to rebuilding outdoors infrastructure, this investment will support ongoing efforts to protect and preserve our nation’s most cherished places.”

The investments from the Inflation Reduction Act include an $44 million for work in fiscal year 2023, along with the advance America the Beautiful initiative, the administration’s to restore and conserve 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. The investments also align with and help advance the objectives of the administration’s National Climate Resilience Framework.

Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, the department is implementing more than $2 billion in overall investments to restore lands and waters, guided by a new framework to support coordination across agency programs and drive transformational outcomes.

The $195 million investment announced this week will support more than 40 projects across hundreds of national parks, including initiatives that:

* Promote climate resilience in forests from the West coast to the East coast.

* Prevent the extinction of Hawaiian forest birds using innovated technology to suppress the population of non-native mosquitos in key habitats of East Maui.

* Strategically manage abandoned mine lands, such as in Mojave National Preserve, to improve visitor and wildlife safety.

* Prioritize coral health and resilience to climate change in the Southeast region.

* Restore sagebrush ecosystems.

* Implement invasive plant management in grassland and forest landscapes to increase ecosystem health.

* Mitigate the impacts of climate change and improve food security for subsistence users through co-stewardship arrangements with Tribal Nations; and

* Support the expansion of the Community Volunteer Ambassador youth program, focusing on increased volunteerism and community engagement.

Inflation Reduction Act: Restoration and Resilience

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) became law on August 16, 2022. It provides the National Park Service with a historic opportunity to address critical ecosystem resilience, restoration, and environmental planning needs.

Guided by the Department’s Restoration and Resilience Framework, the IRA Restoration and Resilience projects in national parks represent broad-scale and impactful resource investments across every corner of our nation — from Alaska to Florida to Maine.

Not only will these projects help park managers and partners restore important ecosystems and wildlife habitat but will also help build resilience so our park lands and waters will be able to withstand future impacts from climate change or other threats.

The full list of projects is available on the National Park Service’s website.