Regional Conservation Strategy Archives

The who and how of CLN: a summary of users and use cases

From land trusts and government agencies to students and consultants, the Conservation Lands Network is supporting conservation action across the Bay Area.

Circus performers, porcupines, and 30×30 in San Diego

Circus performers, porcupines, and 30x30 in San Diego

By Annie Burke

Last week I traveled to San Diego to participate in California’s 30×30 Partnership Summit. TOGETHER Bay Area has been involved with 30×30 since Governor Gavin Newsom signed Executive Order N-82-20 in October 2020, which established the 30×30 initiative. We participated in multiple meetings in the creation of the Pathways to 30×30 report. I’ve attended the previous Partnership Summits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

And what I saw last week blew my mind. Here’s what I saw:

On Wednesday afternoon at Mission Trails Regional Park (see photo above), I joined about 40 people from around the country and around the world to talk about how different levels of government can advance 30×30. We heard from leaders in Canada, South Africa, and Massachusetts about how they’re building partnerships, launching campaigns, and conserving land acre by acre. Brian O’Donnell from the Campaign For Nature talked about moving at the speed of trust while meeting the urgent needs of the moment. We learned about the High Ambition Coalition (now that’s a name!) and the Mediterranean Climate Action Partnership, both of which are finding new and different ways of connecting and collaborating across borders. And I was blown away by the Indigenous Leadership Initiative and their Guardians program.

Takeaway: The world is watching what we’re doing in California. What we’re doing here has global impact, and we need to keep going in order to lift up work all across the world.

The movement for 30×30 in California is the biggest it’s been to date, and it’s growing. Over 500 people attended the Summit on Thursday, August 14 at the San Diego Natural History Museum. And there were another 150 people on the waitlist! That’s a lot of people. Not only were there a lot of people, the rooms were buzzing with positivity and collaboration. Attendees were talking, sharing, and laughing together.

Takeaway: There’s a lot of momentum for 30×30 and it’s growing.

Native Americans and Indigenous perspectives are more involved than ever before. Just a few examples include Dr. Stanley Rodriguez, Kumeyaay Santa Ysabel Band of the Iipay Nation started the day on stage. Deputy Secretary for Tribal Affairs Geneva E.B. Thompson shared the draft Tribal Stewardship Policy in a breakout session. The day ended with the Kumeyaay Bird Singers. And so much more.

Takeaway: Native American leadership is rising!

This was not a stuffy or boring event. Quite the opposite! There were circus performers! Customized 30×30 chocolate bars! A speaker dressed in an oyster costume! A reception at the San Diego Zoo which included food, drinks, and a visit with porcupines and other amazing animals! It was a lot of fun.

Takeaway: Joy is seriously important for movement building.

Finally, I’m honored to serve as the co-chair of CA’s 30×30 Partnership Coordination Committee. Over the past four years, we have met monthly to discuss how we can raise awareness and build momentum for 30×30. The PCC consists of 20 amazing people from around the state who bring a range of perspectives on conservation including hunting, mitigation, ranching, outdoor recreation, urban biodiversity, forestry, and so much more. Together we share information, hatch ideas, partner on 30×30 events, and learn about this great state’s work to conserve its lands and waters. And we laugh a lot. It’s a total pleasure to work with the PCC, and even more fun to see most of them in person.

Together, we can achieve much more than we could alone.

Photos of the Natural History Museum atrium, the speakers on stage, and the porcupine were taken by Nurit Katz. The others were taken by Annie Burke.

33% on the way to 50%

Together we’re making progress towards our regional goal of 50×50.

Kicking off the CLN 3.0 Steering Committee!

Introducing the people who will oversee the CLN 3.0 Project

Conversation about Stewardship

An invitation to the regional conversation about stewardship at the regional scale, and what the CLN 3.0 project will do to advance this conversation.

Calling all GIS data compilers!

It’s time to provide your conservation data for the Bay Area Protected Areas Database update

Survey: Financial & Community Impacts

Survey Says: Federal Orders Are Having Regional Impact

In February 2025, we surveyed TOGETHER Bay Area members and partner organizations about the real and potential consequences of recent executive and secretarial orders. All of the respondents are on-the-ground implementers of climate resilience projects and programs working in the San Francisco Bay Area. They are place-based organizations working for healthy lands, waters, and communities.

From 28 organizations we heard:

A significant financial impact. There is at least $60 million in funding for local projects that is currently threatened, but many organizations do not yet know how they will be impacted. The orders about federal funding are slowing down critical work for climate resilient lands, waters, and communities.
A significant community impact. The orders about federal funding and policies are causing fear, anxiety, and concern for people’s safety and livelihoods.
A call for regional collaboration to develop and deliver local solutions.

Together, we can do something about this.

TOGETHER Bay Area is committed to fostering the region’s resiliency so that we can respond to the federal crisis’s impact on Bay Area lands, waters, and communities. We are serving as a regional voice, hosting the Together Conference in May, connecting job seekers with hiring organizations on our Jobs Board, sharing information about funding opportunities like Prop 4 Climate Bond, continuing to advocate for regional funding, and more.

You can be a part of something positive, inclusive, and impactful. Join us!

Questions? Email us at [email protected]

Photos: (top) Looking north to Mount Tamalpais in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. (bottom) Working together at the Tunnel Tops in the Presidio in San Francisco. Credit: TOGETHER Bay Area.

Achieving 50×50

How did the region determine the goal to conservation of 50% of the Bay Area’s lands by 2050? And how does it fit with 30×30?

CLN 2.0 Progress Report Arrives in December

This report reflects the work of local conservation organizations who have worked tirelessly to conserve new lands. It contains scientific analysis and interconnections to state goals and regional planning processes. And it contains a lot of hope. Here are a few reasons why.