Senior US official’s meet up with teens
US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland visited the Balmaha area last week where she met with teenagers to discuss biodiversity and tackling the climate emergency.
Ms Haaland was at Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park last Saturday to see and hear first-hand how Scottish National Parks are tackling these twin crises.
She met with 16-year-old Aidan Cronin from Callander, a member of the National Park’s youth committee, alongside Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero Michael Matheson, and National Park representatives.
Aidan told her about the committee’s role in ensuring that young people have a voice in the decision making of the National Park Authority and of their work to protect the area’s environment and wildlife.
He said afterwards: “Having the opportunity to share the role of young people in our National Park and how we can be involved in co-designing solutions to climate change, with Secretary Haaland was an honour.
“I was encouraged by her interest in the work of our Junior Rangers programme and the Youth Committee. The afternoon was also an opportunity to share my passion for the role of young people globally, conserving protected areas for our futures.”
The Interior Secretary’s visit followed the announcement at COP26 on Friday that National Parks and other protected and conserved areas around the world have signed a joint statement highlighting their critical role at the vanguard of the fight against Climate Change and Biodiversity loss.
Ms Haaland said: “Protected and conserved areas are special places that connect all of us to nature and help ensure that our lands and waters will be available for generations to come.
“Through this Joint Statement, land managers from the United States and around the world are declaring a united commitment to addressing critical needs facing the planet.
“Together as an international community of protected areas, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, serve as core sites and landscape partners in biodiversity preservation, promote climate-informed solutions, and share knowledge and inspiration with visitors and stakeholders.”