California Adds Nearly 1,000 Square Miles of Conserved Land in One Year, Making Significant Progress Toward 30% Goal
The Californer/10240953

SACRAMENTO ~ California has made monumental progress in its efforts to conserve 30% of state lands and coastal waters by 2030, with the addition of nearly 1,000 square miles since April 2022. This brings the statewide total to 24.4% of lands and 16.2% of coastal waters conserved.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced this major milestone today, noting that California is setting the bar for conservation for other states and nations around the world. The 30×30 initiative, launched in October 2020, calls for additional protection of 6 million acres of land and 500,000 acres of coastal waters in the next seven years to achieve 30×30.

The progress is detailed in an inaugural annual report, "Pathways to 30×30 California" which highlights significant progress over the last year toward achieving three key objectives: 1) Protecting and restoring biodiversity; 2) Expanding access to nature; and 3) Mitigating and building resistance to climate change.

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The report provides specific examples of projects that expanded conserved lands throughout the state, including Banning Ranch (387 acres of lowlands and coastal bluffs in Newport Beach), YMCA Camp Jones Gulch (920 forested acres), and wildlife crossings (enabling wildlife to safely traverse busy roadways).

The state's commitment to equity, tribal partnerships and economic prosperity – pillars of the 30×30 initiative – is backed by more than $100 million in grants for local communities and tribes to implement conservation planning projects. The funding is part of $1.4 billion the state has directed to nature-based solutions to combat climate change and protect the state's world-renowned biodiversity.

Governor Newsom joined the groundbreaking of one such project – Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing – in April 2022 which is expected to help preserve mountain lion populations in Santa Monica Mountains from becoming extinct within 50 years without an influx of genetic diversity.

With this major step forward towards achieving its ambitious goal, California continues its leadership role as a global leader in conservation efforts.

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