California officially conserves 25% of state's land to protect natural beauty, open space

According to the report, California has now protected 25.2% of its land and 16.2% of its coastal waters.Photo byCraig MelvilleonUnsplash

California has officially conserved more than 25% of its land, marking a major step toward the state's goal of preserving 30% of its land and coastal waters by 2030. Governor Gavin Newsom announced the achievement as part of California Biodiversity Week, unveiling the 2024 Annual Progress Report for the 30×30 Initiative.

According to the report, California has now protected 25.2% of its land and 16.2% of its coastal waters. Since the initiative launched in 2022, the state has added nearly 1.5 million acres of conservation areas, with 861,000 acres conserved in 2023 alone.

"In 2020, I signed an executive order to conserve 30% of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030," said Governor Newsom. "Four years into this effort, we’ve protected over a quarter of our lands. We won’t stop working to safeguard California’s natural beauty for generations to come."

This progress is a result of collaborative efforts between state leaders, federal partners, land managers, tribal governments, and local communities. Significant milestones include the return of 40,000 acres to indigenous communities through the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Grant Program and the expansion of two national monuments, adding protections for 120,000 acres of federal lands.