California conserves more than a quarter of its land in historic milestone
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~ In a historic milestone, California has officially conserved more than a quarter of its land on its journey towards achieving its ambitious conservation goals. Governor Gavin Newsom announced this achievement today as he kicked off California Biodiversity Week and released the 2024 Annual Progress Report for the 30x30 Initiative.

The 30x30 Initiative is California's commitment to conserve 30% of state lands and coastal waters by the year 2030. The report shows that the state is making significant progress towards this goal, with 25.2% of its lands and 16.2% of its coastal waters now conserved.

Since the initiative began in 2022, California has added almost 1.5 million acres of 30x30 Conservation Areas, equivalent to roughly 2,350 square miles of protected lands. This year alone, an additional 861,000 acres were added to the conservation effort.

Governor Newsom expressed his pride in this achievement, stating that "four years into this effort, we're on track to achieve this target, with over a quarter of our lands protected." He also emphasized that the state will continue working towards protecting California's natural beauty for future generations.

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The increase in acreage this year includes newly conserved areas as well as properties where there was previously insufficient data to determine their level of protection and management for biodiversity. The full report can be accessed at resources.ca.gov.

This progress is a result of collaboration and dedication from California leaders, the federal government, and on-the-ground practitioners such as land managers, tribal governments, and communities. Some major milestones over the past year include California's first-ever ancestral land return effort through the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Grant Program and the expansion of two National Monuments – San Gabriel Mountains and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monuments – thanks to support from the Biden administration.

Furthermore, almost $1.3 billion in Nature-Based Solution state funding has been allocated over the last three years for acquiring and conserving properties, restoring habitats, and other conservation efforts. This funding will play a crucial role in helping California achieve its 30x30 conservation goals.

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In other news, California has deployed thousands of firefighters, with air and ground support, to fight the fast-growing Line Fire near the community of Highland in San Bernardino County. Governor Newsom also announced that the State Water Board has distributed $880 million during the 2023-2024 fiscal year to projects that will benefit around 12 million Californians through improved drinking water, increased water supplies, and climate resilience efforts.

Additionally, California's athletes are making their mark at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris. The state has brought home numerous medals for Team USA and continues to root for their success.

As California continues its efforts towards conservation and supporting its communities, it remains a leader in environmental protection and sustainability. With continued dedication and collaboration, the state is on track to achieve its ambitious goals for a better future.

Filed Under: Government, State

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