The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

The Nature Conservancy released the following statement today from its President and CEO, Mark Tercek, regarding Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar’s announcement that he will step down from his position in March: 

“Ken Salazar has been an exemplary steward of America’s precious public lands as Secretary of the Interior. Particularly through the America’s Great Outdoors initiative, Secretary Salazar was the driving force behind a bold approach to land conservation. By partnering with communities to conserve America’s lands and waters, the federal government has been able to better meet the needs of citizens while still meeting aggressive conservation goals. 

“America has been privileged to have Ken Salazar as its Interior Secretary. While I am of course sad to see him move on, he departs with a lifetime of achievements to show his dedication to our nation’s heritage and natural resources. It would be hard to ask for anything more from someone who has devoted so much of his life to serving the American people and improving life for them and future generations. 

“I look forward to more work with him on important conservation issues in the future, in whatever path he chooses, and I know that the important advances he made at the Interior Department will continue on since they have proven to be so successful.”