Secretary Dan Glickman

At the beginning of this century, under the leadership of President Theodore Roosevelt, the nation set aside certain natural treasures that deserved the unique protection of public ownership. That was the beginning of our system of national parks and forests, and eventually wildlife refuges, grasslands, seashores and wilderness areas.

Today, as we prepare for a new century, we must step up our commitment to the conservation of America’s private lands.

Our farmers and ranchers have an enormous responsibility. They represent just two percent of the population. But in addition to providing a safe, abundant and affordable food supply, they are also responsible for the stewardship of about half of the American landscape.

For 65 years, since the other President Roosevelt—FDR—led us out of the dustbowl, the federal government has helped farmers meet that responsibility. Farmers want to do the right thing by the land. And USDA has given them the tools and resources they need to keep their operations both economically and environmentally sustainable.

That partnership with farmers has allowed us to make major conservation gains over the years. But a recent USDA analysis indicates that, today, many conservation challenges are mounting faster than we are solving them.

For example, from 1992 to 1997, development swallowed up almost 16 million acres of agricultural and forest land. That is twice the amount lost during the previous ten-year period. Nearly 2 billion tons of soil are eroding into waterways each year. Despite significant gains in erosion control during the past 15 years, there has been no improvement since 1995. And gross wetland losses on agricultural land have increased to 54,000 acres a year.

Part of the reason we are losing ground is inadequate federal dollars, and we at USDA continue to fight for adequate funding levels.

Our treatment of our natural resources is, after all, our legacy. Our grandchildren and their grandchildren will either live with the consequences of our neglect or reap the benefits of our stewardship.