Thrive appreciated the opportunity to submit a public comment on behalf of the region to the U.S. Department of Agriculture on “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.”
The comment, drafted alongside members of Thrive’s Working Lands Committee of the Natural Treasures Alliance, recommended optimizing existing public programs through the USDA through stronger outreach and communications.
It asserted that the USDA has a prime opportunity to strengthen the narrative that climate-smart agriculture can also be productive and economically viable. Though, even with the global implications of climate change, people - landowners and communities - must be at the heart of implementation.
The comment emphasized a need for collaboration among the federal, state, and local levels to advance strategies that are effective for distinct communities and places. It also vocalized support for inclusion of voices and perspectives that are typically underrepresented in mainstream environmental dialogue.