Sharing stories of 30x30 in action, highlighting funding opportunities, and connecting with each other to inspire new partnerships.

“The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is

the one thing all of us share." — Lady Bird Johnson

This Earth Day (April 22nd), we reflect on progress towards 30x30 and envision a time in the near future where 30% of California’s natural lands and waters have been durably conserved for biodiversity, access, and climate change mitigation and resilience. We are thrilled to report on meaningful steps in that direction in this newsletter with historic announcements including over $100 million in funding to California Native American tribes to support habitat restoration and ancestral land return!

This Earth Day also marks the second anniversary of the Pathways to 30x30 document, and it is exciting to see how much this initiative continues to grow each year! The care and action that we all are dedicating now will support our environment and communities for generations to come. 

A Step Towards Healing and Restoration: Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Awards Announced – As part of a first-in-the-nation effort to address historical wrongs committed against California Native American tribes, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the State awarded more than $100 million for 33 tribal land projects. The funding, which was appropriated as part of the 2022–23 and 2023–24 budgets, will be used for ancestral land return, implementation of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and tribal expertise, habitat restoration, climate and wildfire resilience projects, and more.

The Case for Protecting Chuckwalla – On April 16th, Senator Alex Padilla, Senator Laphonza Butler, and Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D. introduced legislation and led a joint letter to President Biden urging him to designate the Chuckwalla National Monument, which would protect approximately 627,000 acres stretching from the Coachella Valley region east to near the Colorado River. 

Federal Government Fosters New Conservation Action – We applaud the Biden-Harris administration on recent initiatives that will help advance 30x30! These include the Bureau of Land Management Public Lands Rule, the launch of Conservation.gov from the White House, and the inspiring America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge!

Regional Conservation in San Bernardino County – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife approved the Regional Conservation Investment Strategy for the conservation of sensitive species, habitats, and other natural resources in San Bernardino County. This will help guide development and conservation projects, including mitigation, and can be used within the county and beyond. 

Nature-based Solutions Targets Released – California released 81 climate targets that strategically harness the power of nature to fight the climate crisis. They establish quantitative goals for the most effective nature-based solutions that increase land health and resilience - and thus support durable and sustainable carbon stocks. Among other outcomes, these targets call for 7.6 million acres to be conserved by 2045! Register here to join the next Secretary Speaker Series on May 2nd from 12 – 1 pm PST to learn more.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS

Sharing voices from partners across California committed to the 30x30 goal.

CNRA and CalEPA Celebrate Earth Day! – CNRA and CalEPA hosted a family-friendly Earth Day event in Sacramento that included a table celebrating the 2nd anniversary of the Pathways to 30x30 document and continued efforts to push towards its ambitious goal! This was the largest state Earth Date event hosted. Check out CalEPA’s Earth Day Hub to learn more about what you can do every day to make the Earth a better place. 

Stories of Stewardship – Created by the California Landscape Stewardship Network, this StoryMap platform aims to feature stories of stewardship action at all scales, in all locations. See what others are doing and share your story here!

Urban and Community Forestry Grants – $30.8 million in funding is available through CAL FIRE to support forestry projects in historically disinvested urban communities throughout California. Proposals are due before 5 pm on May 30th.

Better Together Nature Positive Innovation and Resilience Hubs Grants – PG&E is now accepting applications for grants totaling $900,000 to support regional land and water stewardship and air quality projects, as well as local community resilience hubs. Apply before June 7th.

Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program – CNRA is now accepting proposals for projects to mitigate environmental impacts caused by new or modified public transportation facilities. Approximately $6.7 million from this year’s appropriation are available. Proposals are due before 5 pm on June 25th. 

California Biodiversity Network (CBN) News

Bringing together environmental experts and community leaders to conserve California’s biodiversity.

Steering Committee Nominations – The CBN is seeking nominees for its Steering Committee Co-chair as well as Sentinel Site and Stewardship Roundtable Co-chairs. Please use this form to nominate someone or self-nominate by April 30th.

NEW CBN Stewardship Workforce Training Database – This online database of stewardship workforce development programs across the state is designed to help individuals and organizations interested in getting training, hiring stewards, and funding environmental workforce education. Share and explore these opportunities! 

CBN Listserv, Equity Forum, and Roundtables – Sign up to receive CBN updates and participate in its equity forum and collaborative roundtables prioritizing biodiversity protection, stewardship, environmental education, and scientific inquiry. Join the upcoming Biodiversity Informatics & Community Science roundtable meeting on May 14th.

Community Volunteer Day at Marshall Gold Discovery State Park – Join 30x30 California Climate Action Corps Fellow, Chiena Ty, on Sunday, May 19th for a community volunteer day in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Month at Marshall Gold Discovery State Park in Coloma, CA. Volunteers will help with clearing vegetation and placing a fire-resistant border around the Wah Hop and Man Lee historical stone buildings.

Earth Day in Monrovia: Garden Workday – Help with tree planting and garden care at Plymouth Elementary School in Monrovia, CA on Saturday, May 4th. Volunteers will maintain and improve a garden space that connects school students and local residents to community, healthy eating, and educates participants on how to take local and individual action on climate change.

Hope Garden Community Planting Day – The Watershed Project is hosting its last native planting workday of the season on Saturday, May 11th in Richmond, CA. 

30X30 Pathways in Focus Webinar: Expanding and Accelerating Environmental Restoration & Stewardship – Join us May 22nd from 10 – 11:30 am PST for the next Pathways in Focus webinar to hear bright spots and ongoing challenges from those working hard to expand and accelerate restoration and stewardship across the state in support of 30x30’s Pathway 6.

Connect – Check out our 30x30 California Instagram Account @30x30CA

Continue the Dialog – Follow our 30x30 California Twitter account @30x30CA

Share Your News! – Do you have a conservation story that you want to highlight? Let us know!