FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2024
Contact: Stefanie Lao, stefanie@fcpcommunications.com, 818-261-6871
POWER IN NATURE COALITION CALLS FOR ACCELERATED ACTION, FUNDING TO ACHIEVE CA’S 30×30 GOAL
New Report Highlights Progress Towards Protecting 30% of CA Land and Coastal Waters by 2030; Significant Work Remains
Sacramento, CA — Today, representatives of the Power In Nature Coalition responded to the Pathways to 30×30 California Annual Progress Report from the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA). The report provides an update on the state’s efforts to protect 30% of California’s land and coastal waters by 2030. In response, scientists and conservation advocates are pointing to the progress that the state is making towards achieving this goal, as well as the need to accelerate action and ensure funding for 30×30 efforts.
“Scientists worldwide agree that in order to avoid the worst impacts of climate change on people and help protect wildlife at risk of extinction, we must — at a minimum — protect 30% of our lands and coastal waters by 2030,” said Juan Altamirano, Director of Government Affairs, Trust for Public Land. “California is making progress towards 30×30, but there is much work remaining. Nearly five million acres of lands and coastal waters still must be conserved in less than six years. To meet this moment, we are calling for accelerated action, the designation of three national monuments, and the passage of Proposition 4 in November.
Since Governor Newsom committed California to the 30×30 goal in 2020, positive progress has been made with the protection of community-driven projects like the Randall Preserve in Southern California, the addition of interconnected open spaces in the Mayacamas in Northern California, and the advancement of ancestral land return efforts through the Tribal Nature Based Solutions Grant Program. Most recently, President Biden permanently protected nearly 120,000 acres of public lands in California with the expansion of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in Northern California and the expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument in Southern California.
Tribal leaders, elected officials, scientists, business owners, conservation advocates, and local communities are also calling on President Biden to protect three new national monuments in the state: the proposed Sáttítla National Monument, the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument, and the proposed Kw’tsán National Monument. These designations — together with the expansion of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument — would significantly contribute more than 1 million acres to the state achieving 30×30.
Additionally, advocates are also calling for the passage of Proposition 4 in November in order to ensure necessary funding for California to meet its 30×30 goals.
“This year, California cut more than $1 billion in natural resources funding in the state budget,” said Mary Creasman, Chief Executive Officer of California Environmental Voters. “These budget cuts put the state’s momentum towards 30×30 in jeopardy. Proposition 4 includes critical investments in clean water, funding to protect against wildfire, sea level rise, flooding, and extreme heat, and investments in our farms, natural lands, inland waters, coastal waters, and parks for the benefit of all Californians.”
California is the most biodiverse state in the nation–belonging to one of 36 global biodiversity hotspots. These are the places on Earth that are both biologically rich and deeply threatened. A 2023 NatureServe report found California to have the highest risks for species extinction in the nation. Globally, research shows that 1 million species are at risk of extinction, and wild vertebrate populations have dropped 69% since 1970.
“Habitat loss and climate change are threatening California’s biodiversity at unprecedented rates,” said ecologist Dr. Jun Bando, executive director of the California Native Plant Society and member of the California Biodiversity Network. “We need large-scale, swift action like California national monument designations and sustained investments in conservation to give the state’s rare and endangered species a fighting chance at survival.”
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About the Power In Nature Coalition
Power In Nature is a statewide coalition of community groups, environmental and conservation organizations, land trusts, indigenous organizations, and tribal members dedicated to advancing California’s 30×30 commitment. The Power In Nature coalition has identified nearly 100 potential 30×30 projects across the state and works on a broad range of issues including biodiversity protection, climate resilience, equity, recreation, outdoor access, and social justice. For more information visit PowerInNature.org.
