The PUBLIC Lands Act can help California meet 30x30 goals
Credit: Bryant Baker
The California Natural Resources Agency recently launched a series of virtual workshops focused on the State’s commitment to conserve 30 percent of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030. Upcoming land conservation workshops include:
July 27th, 3-6pm: Advancing 30x30 and Protecting Biodiversity Register here.
August 10th, 3-6pm: Advancing 30x30: Conservation of Lands Register here.
Approximately 47% of CA’s total land area is managed by the federal government. If California is to reach the goal of protecting 30% of its land and coastal waters by 2030, it is imperative that it seizes opportunities and builds robust partnerships with the federal government to increase protections and advance access opportunities on federal public lands in the state.
There are already key federal public lands conservation efforts underway that have broad support, and it is critical that the state champion these efforts and embrace them as key pathways to reaching the 30% goal by 2030.
One example is The Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California Lands Act (PUBLIC Lands Act - S.1459). It provides an immediate and tremendous opportunity for advancing 30x30 in California.
Authored by Senator Alex Padilla in the Senate, the bill will protect and increase access to over one million acres of public lands and over 500 miles of rivers in California. It also advances efforts to fight climate change, protect biodiversity, increase access to nature for communities, promote public health, and bolster regional economic development -- all cross-cutting strategies that contribute to a more thriving future for our state’s nature and people, and are integral to the state’s and nation's goals to conserve 30% of our lands and rivers by 2030. This legislation is a culmination of bills that passed the House earlier this year, authored by Reps. Chu, Carbajal and Huffman.
Passing the PUBLIC Lands Act is key for advancing a 30x30 agenda in CA and beyond:
BACKGROUND: The PUBLIC Lands Act, championed by Senator Alex Padilla and cosponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein, provides monumental protections for public lands, parks, and California communities. The bill would protect more than one million acres of public lands and over 500 miles of rivers statewide in Northwest California, on the Central Coast, and in the Los Angeles area, and as such is integral to California’s and the Biden Administration’s efforts to advance 30x30 goals.
ACCESS TO THE OUTDOORS: While Californians enjoy some of the best public lands in the country, many communities—especially communities of color—do not have equitable access to these places. The PUBLIC Lands Act will expand protections for public lands and rivers near communities that have limited access to parks and the outdoors, which also advances the Biden Administration’s 30x30 goals.
PUBLIC HEALTH: Data has shown the mental and physical benefits of spending time in nature. As Californians seek more time outdoors as a way to heal from the COVID-19 crisis, public lands and rivers will play an increasingly important role in public health. 30x30 and the PUBLIC Lands Act support public health by expanding public lands protections,increasing opportunities to spend time outdoors, and protecting key drinking water sources.
ECONOMIC RECOVERY: Protecting public lands and rivers benefits economic recovery, and presents an opportunity for supporting communities most impacted by economic downturns. Youth and Black, Indigenous and communities of color are being disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 economic crisis. According to a recent report from the Campaign for Nature, investing in 30x30 protections will generate an average of $250 billion to the economy every year. Moreover, the PUBLIC Lands Act will invest in outdoor recreation industries, which are significant contributors to local and statewide economies.
CLIMATE CHANGE: Protecting public lands is key to California’s efforts to address climate change and build resilience. The PUBLIC Lands Act will help make California a key part of the climate solution and is critical to 30x30 efforts by safeguarding large swaths of public lands and rivers, protecting biodiversity, improving carbon sequestration, preserving wildlife corridors, and protecting public lands from oil drilling.