Published Date:
Public Invited to Submit Feedback by January 28, 2022
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — To protect biodiversity, advance equitable access to nature and combat climate change, the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) today released California’s draft strategy to conserve 30 percent of the state’s land and coastal waters by 2030 (30x30). The draft of Pathways to 30x30: Accelerating Conservation of California’s Nature is now available for public review and feedback. Input is welcomed through January 28, 2022.
Pathways to 30x30 responds directly to Governor Newsom’s nature-based solutions Executive Order N-82-20, which aims to accelerate conservation of California’s lands and coastal waters through voluntary, collaborative action with federal and local governments, Native American Tribes, and private landowners. California’s 30x30 initiative is part of an international movement to protect nature across the planet, which includes a group of countries that have adopted 30x30 targets.
“We need to do everything in our power to tackle the climate crisis, enable more people to get outdoors in nature, and protect California’s world-renowned biodiversity” said California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot. “Pathways to 30x30 empowers collaboration across the state to meet these goals, and we need input on this strategy to enable our collective success.”
According to its definition, CNRA estimates that 24 percent of California’s lands and 16 percent of coastal waters are already conserved. Pathways to 30x30 puts California on track to meet the 30 percent goal for both land and coastal waters by 2030. This strategy:
- Describes the key objectives and core commitments that are a part of California’s 30x30 conservation framework.
- Defines conservation for the purpose of California’s 30x30 initiative.
- Outlines strategic actions necessary to achieve the 30x30 target.
- Introduces CA Nature, a suite of publicly available interactive virtual mapping and visualization tools to identify conservation opportunities and track our collective progress.
The draft strategy has been shaped by months of public participation and collaboration, including Tribal consultations, public input surveys, regional discussions, and topical workshops. Public input has been critical to identifying effective strategies that reflect local and regional perspectives.
CNRA also announced the formation of a 30x30 Advisory Committee, tasked with providing innovative ideas and input on implementation strategies for achieving 30x30. This group complements input already received and will meet virtually on January 12.
The 30x30 strategy complements the State’s Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy and newly launched California Outdoors for All Initiative. Taken together, these efforts will drive action on biodiversity, access and climate across California.
Information on how to submit feedback on the draft Pathways to 30x30 and registration details for the advisory committee can be found at www.CaliforniaNature.ca.gov.
###
