FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2025
Contact: Stefanie Lao, stefanie@fcpcommunications.com, (818) 261-6871
Power In Nature Coalition Responds to Governor Newsom’s Budget
SACRAMENTO, CA — The Power In Nature Coalition today responded to Governor Newsom’s 2025 – 2026 budget by calling for continued bold investment in programs that build climate resilience and address the biodiversity crisis. These are essential investments for the State of California to reach its goal of protecting 30% of land and coastal waters by 2030 (30×30) and maximize nature’s ability to improve climate resilience.
“We’re thankful to the Governor for the continued proposed investments in 30×30,” said California Native Plant Society Executive Director Dr. Jun Bando. Dr. Bando, who is a member of the State’s 30×30 Partnership Coordinating Committee and the California Biodiversity Network, emphasized the importance of sustained and significant investment. “At this moment, communities in Los Angeles are living through an unfathomable reminder that the intertwined climate and biodiversity crises aren’t something out there in the future; they are here now. If firefighting and disaster response is our emergency care, the protection and restoration of healthy ecosystems is our preventive medicine. Let’s keep investing in those lifelines for the good of all.”
The Power in Nature Coalition will be tracking funds from the newly passed Prop 4, which proposed the following funding allocations in support of 30×30:
- $230.5 Million to the Wildlife Conservation Board
- $77.5 Million to the State Coastal Conservancy
- $79.9 Million to State Conservancies for nature-based solutions
- $9.4 Million for the Tribal Nature Based Solutions Program
- $20.7 million for other biodiversity and nature-based solutions programs
Scientists worldwide agree that to protect life as we know it, we must conserve at least 30% of the Earth’s lands and coastal waters by 2030. In 2020, Governor Newsom committed California to the 30×30 goal and in 2023, that goal became state law. California is making strong progress towards 30×30, but millions of acres still must be conserved in less than five years.
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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.
