Secretary Haaland Hits the Ground Running on Day One at the Department of the Interior

Date: Wednesday, March 17, 2021 
Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov

WASHINGTON – Today Deb Haaland began her tenure as the 54th Secretary of the Interior. Secretary Haaland hit the ground running, holding a virtual all-staff forum attended by more than 15,000 agency employees where she delivered remarks and highlighted the work of team members in each of the bureaus and offices. She also took time to honor an Interior employee who is celebrating 40 years of service to the federal government. 

Secretary Haaland joined virtual meetings with more than a dozen Tribes and Tribal-led organizations and more than 40 groups focused on equity and environmental justice where she discussed the administration’s commitment to advancing an inclusive and equitable climate and conservation agenda.  

She also delivered remarks at a virtual Tribal Ocean Summit hosted by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management for federally recognized Tribal Nations and Alaska Native Corporations.   

As part of her on-boarding, she received a briefing from the Interior Department ethics office. The Secretary has made clear that the highest ethics and integrity will guide not only her leadership but her expectations of agency employees.  

Secretary Haaland’s official bio is available in English and Spanish. Her official downloadable photo can be found here. The Secretary’s official Twitter account is @SecDebHaaland, and her official Instagram account is @SecDebHaaland.  

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