California’s 30×30 initiative aims to conserve 30% of the state’s lands and coastal waters by 2030. This effort is part of a broader global movement to protect nature, combat climate change, and expand public access to the outdoors. The latest annual progress report for 2024 reveals significant strides and outlines the challenges that remain.
Key Achievements in 2024:
1. Increased Conservation Areas:
- As of June 2024, 25.2% of California’s lands and 16.2% of its coastal waters are now protected, marking a milestone toward the 30% target.
- Approximately 861,000 acres were added in the past year through tribal land returns, land acquisitions, conservation easements, and enhanced protection of federally managed lands.
2. Tribal Involvement and Equity:
- Efforts like the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Grant Program have enabled the return of nearly 39,000 acres of ancestral lands to Native American tribes.
- The 30×30 initiative continues to emphasize justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring all Californians benefit from conservation efforts.
3. Climate Resilience and Biodiversity:
- The expansion of protected areas, like the San Gabriel Mountains and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monuments, added over 120,000 acres of land under federal conservation.
- Programs like the Beaver Restoration Program and the California Salmon Strategy focus on restoring habitats that play a critical role in biodiversity and climate resilience .
Challenges Ahead:
Accelerated Efforts Needed: To meet the 30×30 goal, California must conserve an additional 4.8 million acres of land and 500,000 acres of coastal waters by 2030. This will require intensified statewide collaboration and smart strategies to maximize conservation impact amid constrained fiscal conditions.
Data and Management: Enhanced tracking of protected lands is crucial to accurately measure progress and identify future conservation opportunities. The integration of these lands into centralized databases like the California Protected Areas Database is vital to achieving the 30×30 targets.
The full 2024 progress report can be accessed here.