Adam RollinsIn celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday next year, the Department of the Interior (DOI) has announced a three-year pilot program investing $250 million to restore and revitalize the nation’s public lands.
Titled the Patriot Program, the initiative will prioritize investments in critical infrastructure, preservation and public access projects. The DOI will accomplish the program’s goals through a public-private partnership and match all federal investments by 50% in private funding or in-kind contributions.
Key efforts outlined in the Patriot Program will center around:
- Historic preservation.
- Masonry repairs.
- Wildland fuel reduction.
- Trail maintenance.
- Improved access to iconic sites.
The agency also plans to use the program to expand and prepare the workforce, targeting youth and young adults. The program will involve participants in projects and deliver hands-on training for skilled trades.
The DOI’s public land restoration initiative is one of several kickstarted as part of an executive order announced in January of this year to celebrate the nation’s milestone birthday. A task force composed of the federal government’s top brass was established to execute planning and activities dedicated to commemorating this historic event.
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