APP Reacts to Nomination of David Bernhardt as Secretary of the Interior

Calls for a return to agency’s core values.

Washington, D.C. (February 5, 2019)— “The Interior Secretary’s job is to balance development interests with protecting public lands and wildlife. To date, the Interior Department leadership has fallen short in meeting their obligations to steward our nation’s natural resources for our children and grandchildren,” said Sarah Greenberger, senior vice president for conservation policy at APP after news broke that David Bernhardt had been nominate to lead the Department of the Interior. 

“We don’t have to undermine bedrock wildlife laws that protect birds and endangered species, sell off public lands to the highest bidder and open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling. We expect the Senate will only confirm a nominee who makes clear their commitment to right the course for future generations and hew more closely to the spirit of the agency’s conservation mission.”

About APP: The APP protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. APP works throughout the Americas using, science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners give APP an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, APP believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Learn more and how to help at  and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @audubonsociety.

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Contact: Anne Singer, asinger@audubon.org, 202-271-4679