California Reaches Historic Milestone, Conserves Over 25% of Land in Push for 2030 Goal

California conserves more than a quarter of its land in historic milestone.Photo byStock Image

By Kristy Tallman, Monday, September 9, 2024

SACRAMENTO — In a major step toward its ambitious conservation goals, California has officially conserved more than 25% of its land, Governor Gavin Newsom announced as part of California Biodiversity Week. The state is on track to achieve its goal of protecting 30% of its lands and coastal waters by 2030, a target set in a 2020 executive order.

The 2024 Annual Progress Report for the 30x30 Initiative highlights the state’s conservation success, with 25.2% of land and 16.2% of coastal waters now protected. Since 2022, nearly 1.5 million acres of land have been added to the 30x30 Conservation Areas, including 861,000 acres in the last year alone.

“We’re on track to achieve this target, with over a quarter of our lands protected. We won’t stop working to protect California’s unparalleled natural beauty for generations to come,” said Governor Newsom.

This progress is the result of collaboration among state leaders, federal agencies, tribal governments, and local communities. Notable accomplishments include California’s first ancestral land return through the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Grant Program and the expansion of two National Monuments, adding protections to 120,000 acres of federal land.

The $1.3 billion in state funding allocated for nature-based solutions will further support the state’s conservation goals, including land acquisitions, habitat restoration, and more. The full report can be accessed at resources.ca.gov.

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By Kristy Tallman, September 9, 2024
The Republic News

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