Today is Earth Day, a moment to appreciate the planet, and people’s efforts to protect it. To honor the occasion, we spoke to US Interior Secretary Deb Haaland — who made history as the first Native American Cabinet secretary — about conservation and her work. (Reminder: She oversees the agency responsible for national parks and other public lands, the protection of endangered species, maintaining relationships with tribal nations, and much more.) Here’s what she had to say…

Q: How do you celebrate Earth Day? 

Every day is Earth Day at the Interior Department! I celebrate the day by showing gratitude for our lands and waters, and the generations of stewards that have protected them for all of our benefit. 

Q: What’s one of your go-to environmental tips? 

We only have one planet Earth. If I could pass along one single tip to people, it’s to leave our planet better than how they found it. One way to do that is to use a refillable water bottle and not single-use plastics. Also, be sure to take out anything you bring onto our public lands. Every one of us can do our part to ensure that the animals, plants, waters and lands that we depend on can be there for generations to come.

Q: What’s one thing that you’ve spearheaded that you’re particularly proud of?

I am particularly proud that we are honoring Indigenous-led conservation priorities and advancing co-stewardship of our lands and waters with Tribal Nations. Tribes are the original stewards of our public lands, and it is past time that we incorporate Tribal expertise and Indigenous Knowledge into federal land and resources management. When President Biden took action to restore the original boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, he ensured that future management of the area would be done in coordination with the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, and the Pueblo of Zuni.

Q: Looking ahead, what’s at the top of your to-do list?

America’s outdoor spaces belong to all of us. They provide opportunities to hunt, fish, hike, and recreate; wide open spaces to find solitude; and important cultural and economic resources for local and gateway communities. Public lands can also play a central role in providing natural solutions to the climate crisis ... [so] it is a top priority for the Interior Department to safeguard our natural and cultural resources ... The Department is restoring wildlife habitats, protecting at-risk and endangered species, improving recreation sites, and reclaiming abandoned mine lands.