UTICA, NY – January 27 has become a day for celebration nationwide, but more specifically at the Utica Zoo. The Zoo joined the national celebration of President Biden’s signing of a new Executive Order that would essentially commit the United States, along with 50+ other nations to protect and conserve 30% of our lands and oceans by 2030.
As an animal care and conservation organization, the Utica Zoo actively participates in a variety of programs to help support conservation initiatives around the world. The 30×30 commitment will not only impact plants and animals, but will also address instances of racial, social, and environmental injustice to ensure all Americans have equal access to our natural lands and oceans.
Additionally, public opinion research shows that an overwhelming majority of Americans support initiatives to protect lands and oceans. In a Hart Research Associates poll, 86% of Americans polled support a national 30×30 goal, with 75% of Americans polled believing a 30×30 goal is achievable.
“The Utica Zoo is very excited about the 30×30 initiative!” said Mark Simon, Visitor Experience and Marketing Manager at the Utica Zoo. “Every 30 seconds, a football field worth of America’s natural areas disappear to development, which negatively impacts millions of plants and animals every year, and pushes more and more people away from natural areas. The 30×30 initiative will help slow these devastating trends that our planet is experiencing and help create public lands and oceans that will provide meaningful habitats for plants and animals, and allow more Americans to experience the joy and tranquility of our natural world for generations to come.”
To learn more about the 30×30 initiative commitment, visit UticaZoo.org/30×30
