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110+ Ways to Advance 30×30 and Other State Goals

We need to accelerate our collective efforts to address the climate crisis, and TOGETHER Bay Area members are positioned to deliver nature-based and equity-centered solutions. TOGETHER Bay Area members are working on local projects that can advance the State of California’s goals as outlined in Pathways to 30×30 and other plans

In the winter of 2022 we surveyed our member organizations and they shared: 

Over 110 projects

that are ready to implement and which meet the objectives of the Pathways to 30×30 Strategy. 

These projects aren’t just nice to have. They’re essential for healthy lands, people, and communities with multiple-benefits including: 

  • Reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire
  • Manage watersheds and water resources for resilience to drought
  • Support the region and states climate adaptation efforts
  • Provide equitable access to parks and open space
  • Opportunities for workforce development, and job placement

The range and depth of projects is inspirational! Please take a moment to virtually tour the projects below and get a sense for the impact our members have on the ground in their communities.

At least $700 million

in funding that’s needed for just these 110+ projects over the next 3-5 years. This is not a comprehensive list of all of TOGETHER Bay Area members’ projects that could advance 30×30. More funding is needed.

Explore the 110+ examples of TOGETHER Bay Area member projects:

Why 30×30 is important 

30×30 is important because we need to accelerate our collective efforts to conserve biodiversity, create equitable access to the outdoors, and support climate resilient lands across California. The goal of conserving 30% of California’s lands and waters by 2030 can galvanize leaders across the state to mobilize the resources and implement projects that address the climate crisis. 30×30 is important because today’s youth are looking to adults for leadership, and this is an opportunity for California to lead. 

The Pathways to 30×30 strategy led by the California Natural Resources Agency set forth three objectives: 

  • Protect California’s unique biodiversity
  • Expand equitable access to nature and its benefits
  • Conserve places that help California achieve carbon neutrality and/or build climate resilience

TOGETHER Bay Area members are poised and ready to help reach and surpass the State’s 30% goal. With the State Budget surplus going into a second year, this is a golden opportunity to fund projects that advance biodiversity conservation, equitable access to the outdoors, and climate resilient lands and waters.

The Bay Area and Biodiversity

30×30 is a global movement, and the San Francisco Bay Area has been identified as a global hotspot for biodiversity. The region is fortunate to still have iconic species like mountain lion, Golden Eagle, and steelhead trout. Indeed, most species that represent the region’s former biological richness still survive. This is due in large part to the amount of habitat remaining – only some of which has been permanently conserved. One has only to look at the long list of Bay Area threatened and endangered species to know that, for those species and for the rest of the interconnected web of life, the remaining open space is just barely enough. 

Since the early 2000s, the Bay Area conservation community of scientists and conservationists has engaged in science-based regional prioritization for biodiversity conservation. The Conservation Lands Network (CLN) is the region’s biodiversity conservation strategy, and it was most recently updated in 2019. Many of the 110+ projects described here help advance the goals laid out in CLN 2.0. In the project descriptions you’ll find efforts to conserve lands essential for monarchs, coho salmon, eagles, pollinators like bees, mountain lions, badgers, and other key species. The CLN has been funded by the State Coastal Conservancy and Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation.

Matching the rich biodiversity of this region is a rich tapestry of organizations working in urban, rural, natural, and working lands for biodiversity, equitable access, and climate resilience. Scan the list of TOGETHER members and you’ll find community-based organizations, Indigenous-led organizations, land trusts, resource conservation districts, open space districts, parks departments, water agencies, and others all working together in diverse and important ways.

“The network of lands in the CLN – including wildlife corridors, habitat connectivity, rangelands, riparian areas, and interconnections with the baylands – will give human and natural communities the best chance of persisting – even thriving – in the face of climate change.”

(Source: CLN 2.0 report)

About the data 

TOGETHER Bay Area surveyed its members in January – February 2022 for projects that could advance the three objectives outlined in the California Natural Resources Agency’s draft Pathways to 30×30 document. Thirty-seven, or 55%, of our members responded with information on 117 projects. Project locations were self-reported using this online tool. Members were provided opportunities to review and edit the projects before this site was finalized.

Thanks to:

  • All TOGETHER Bay Area members and especially members of the 30×30 Working Group and Policy Committee who have contributed their time, expertise, and ideas to this project.
  • Members of the project team: Tom Allnutt, Annie Burke, Jessica Little, Dan Rademacher, Tom Robinson, and Tim Sinnott
  • Interactive map was created by GreenInfo Network

About TOGETHER Bay Area

TOGETHER Bay Area is a regional coalition of nonprofits, public agencies, and Indigenous Tribes working together for climate resilient lands – including lands that are natural, working, rural, and urban. We connect, convene, and catalyze action for a just and equitable society where we live in relationship with the land that sustains us now and will sustain future generations.

Contact 

Jessica Little, [email protected]

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