U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has appointed Jessica Turner and Kirk Dupps to the Board of Directors for the Foundation for America’s Public Lands. As knowledgeable and accomplished leaders, their expertise and passion for public lands will play an important role as the Foundation charts its path forward to support the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as its official charitable partner.
“Public lands are a great equalizer, and all Americans deserve to experience the wonder of these special places,” said Governor Steve Bullock, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Jessica and Kirk have outstanding track records and impressive expertise that will help guide the Foundation as we enter a new phase of rapid growth.”
Jessica (Wahl) Turner is the first President of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), America’s leading coalition of outdoor recreation associations and business organizations. Under her leadership, ORR has connected all segments of the outdoor recreation economy to pass historical legislation like the Great American Outdoors Act and achieve millions of dollars in funding for public lands, waters and rural gateway communities.
Kirk Dupps is a widely recognized authority in the retail industry with more than 50 years of experience, innovation, and leadership in all aspects of food distribution. Bill Clinton appointed him as commissioner of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, where he served as chairman in 1998 and 1999. In 2000 the Secretary of the Interior, Gale Norton, appointed Mr. Dupps to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Board. While on the Board he successfully teamed NFWF with Walmart and developed the “Acres for America” program which placed more than 1,000,000 acres of land in conservation over a 10-year period.
Jessica and Kirk’s leadership will be invaluable as the Foundation carries out its inaugural programmatic work, such as its new report to help enhance recreation opportunities on BLM lands and its upcoming program to support restoration efforts in the Colorado River Basin.
Learn more about our leadership team here: https://americaslands.org/leadership/
