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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: July 31, 2002
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

GROUNDSWELL OF SUPPORT INITIATES NATURAL RESOURCES LEADERSHIP COUNCIL OF THE STATES
State-Led Organization Created to "Enhance the Management and Conservation of America's Natural Resources"; Echoes Teddy Roosevelt's National Conservation Conference of 1908

DENVER, CO - For the first time in our nation's history, the heads of state agencies charged with conservation, resource management and outdoor recreation have formed a bi-partisan organization aimed at building partnerships between the states and the federal government to enhance the management and conservation of America's natural resources. Until now, there has not been a formal organization to take a comprehensive view of natural resource protection. This unique organization, called the Natural Resources Leadership Council of the States (NRLCS), recently received its approval from the National Governors Association to formally organize.

The Council has already begun to track several key federal programs that impact natural resources. In addition to providing an opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences, the organization hopes to foster a better understanding of the challenges and accomplishments of state natural resources agencies.

"It is critical that we have a strong national organization to help influence national policy and funding of our precious natural resources. NRLCS will fill this important role by providing a forum for the states and federal agencies to develop partnerships to share innovative ideas and solve common problems," said Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Director Jan Reitsma. "Among the critical areas the Council may focus its efforts on are full restoration of the stateside funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the rumored threat to federal funding of some of our forestry programs, and the need to get natural resource programs more involved in water quality restoration and watershed management. Rhode Island is proud to have participated in the founding of this new organization, and we are confident that our state will benefit from its work."

"Today, individual states are emerging as the leaders in a new era of conservation and environmental protection. From managing public lands to aiding in the recovery of endangered species, the leadership is increasingly coming from state agencies," said recently elected NRLCS President Greg Walcher, who is the executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. "Our goal is to build better partnerships with federal agencies and to provide a forum for states to learn more about effective, productive and innovative state-led approaches to conservation."

"The new Natural Resources Leadership Council of the States undoubtedly will be a leading national partner in carrying out the 4C's - cooperation, consultation and communication, all in the service of conservation," said Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton, who joined with The Conservation Fund to host the first gathering of state officials. "Partnerships are truly priorities at the Interior Department. The state-federal collaboration that NRLCS will foster will be one the strongest tools ever invented to ensure conservation of natural resources. We are thankful for the visionary leadership of The Conservation Fund."

The idea for the new organization came from an October 2001 natural resources summit, organized by The Conservation Fund, a national non-profit organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, that is dedicated to land and water conservation in America. The Fund works in partnership with other organizations, public agencies, foundations, corporations and individuals to integrate economic and environmental goals and to foster greater cooperation between the business and conservation communities.

The event marked the first time since 1908, when Theodore Roosevelt convened the National Conservation Conference, that state leaders from throughout the nation had come together to discuss their mutual interests in the future of America's natural resources.

The Conservation Fund, with support from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, brought together natural resources directors from 45 states last fall to discuss innovative partnerships and multi-state collaborations, stewardship and management of public lands and opportunities to work more collaboratively with the federal agencies. Because of the overwhelming support, a follow-up meeting in April 2002 was organized to help the state directors establish a formal organization of state natural resource agency leaders. "Land and water conservation in the 21st century will be led by the states," said Larry Selzer, president of The Conservation Fund. "We are very proud to have assisted America's natural resource leaders in creating this new organization."

At its spring meeting, the NRLCS elected officers and regional representatives. Elected officers include: Greg Walcher (Colorado), president; Nicholas A. DiPasquale (Delaware), vice president; Lonice C. Barrett (Georgia), secretary/treasurer; and John C. Oliver (Pennsylvania), past president, who served as the interim president during the planning and organizational process.

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