Inspiring Collective Action

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

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” ― Helen Keller

California’s 30x30 initiative is a collective effort, implemented through collaborative actions among a broad range of partners. Environmental conservation happens locally - planned and championed by people working on the ground who are united around common interests.

Expanding ambitious environmental conservation that achieves multiple benefits is possible. Working together, we can leverage interest and excitement generated by 30x30 into lasting environmental improvements. 

Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Grants Advance 30x30 – The California Natural Resources Agency and the California Transportation Commission awarded approximately $9.3 million in funding for eight projects in five counties. This program provides funding for local, state, and federal governmental agencies as well as nonprofit organizations for projects that mitigate environmental impacts produced by new or modified state transportation facilities. Several of the projects awarded will conserve new areas helping to achieve the 30x30 goal.

Historic Acquisition to Protect Upper Truckee River, Marsh, and Lake Tahoe – The California Tahoe Conservancy, with support of five funding partners, is acquiring 31 acres of environmentally sensitive land along the Upper Truckee River in South Lake Tahoe. This acquisition will protect an essential wetland that filters waters flowing into Lake Tahoe and provides an important wildlife corridor.

Grants Awarded to Protect, Restore, and Enhance Wildlife Habitats – California State Parks announced $6.7 million in funding for 19 grant awards through the California Habitat Conservation Fund Grant Program. Awardees include a diverse array of partners working to protect and restore habitat and corridors across California, and providing outdoor education, park development, and interpretive signage. 

Sugar Creek Ranch Acquisition to Protect Coho Salmon – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife awarded funding for the acquisition of 79.2 acres in the Yuba Dredge Tailings within Scott Valley, in the Klamath Basin. This acquisition will protect 12 acres of cold water ponds critical for coho salmon rearing, as well as a quarter mile of Sugar Creek.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS

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

CA Native Seed Strategy – Check out this blog from the California Native Plant Society to learn about the critical pathway to increase the availability of native seed and its use in ecological restoration and land management. 

Explore Nature-Based Solutions – Explore the Coastal Commission’s interactive Story map to learn more about Nature-Based Solutions along the California coast. 

Environmental Justice Small Grants Program – The Ocean Protection Council has partnered with Justice Outside to launch a small grants program for projects to engage people in ocean/coastal conservation and/or in equitable access to the California coast. Applications due April 5, 2024.

National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Program  – The CA State Coastal Conservancy seeks partners for joint applications to the next round of the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant (NCWCG) Program for coastal wetlands acquisition and/or restoration projects on the California coast or along the San Francisco Bay shoreline. Submit a letter of interest by April 15, 2024.

Funding for Outdoor Recreation Projects near Military Bases – CA State Parks has announced a program in partnership with National Park Service and Department of Defense to fund projects near military bases to acquire, or acquire and develop, lands for public outdoor recreation, and increase resilience to climate change through recreation. Concept letters due April 15, 2024. 

CAL FIRE Forest Legacy Grants – CAL FIRE aims to protect environmentally important forestland threatened with conversion to non-forest uses. Up to $10 million in funding is available to conserve privately-owned forestland. Pre-applications due April 16, 2024.

Climate Adaptation Planning Grants – Office of Planning and Research announced funding to help fill local, regional, and tribal planning needs, provide resources to identify climate resilience priorities, and support the development of a pipeline of climate resilient infrastructure projects across the state. Submit a pre-application interest form by May 6, 2024.

California Biodiversity Network (CBN) News

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

CBN Listserv, Equity Forum, and Roundtables – Sign up to receive CBN updates, as well as participate in the CBN’s equity forum and collaborative roundtables on biodiversity protection, stewardship, environmental education, and scientific inquiry.

Upcoming Virtual Roundtable meetings:

• Stewardship Roundtable – Wednesday, April 17, 9-10:30 am
• Sentinel Site Network Roundtable – Thursday, April 4, 2-3:30 pm

Steering Committee Nominations – The CBN is seeking nominees for Co-chair as well as Sentinel Site and Stewardship Roundtable Co-chairs to serve as representatives on the Steering Committee. Please use this form to nominate someone or self-nominate by April 30, 2024.

Seedy Sundays with Artemisia Nursery (LA Area, 1^st Sunday every month) – In partnership with California Climate Action Corps join a community service day to process CA Native Seed. Participants will deepen their understanding surrounding stewarding local seed, and the importance of preserving our local biodiversity.

Wildcat Creek Community Stewardship Day (Bay Area, April 20) – Work with the Watershed Project and Urban Tilth to restore, steward, and clean up Wildcat Creek and the surrounding rain gardens. Volunteers will work across Wildcat Creek and then come together for a fun community festival afterwards. 

City Nature Challenge (Statewide, April 26-29) – Be a community scientist! Join the annual four-day bioblitz at the end of April, where cities are in a collaboration-meets-friendly-competition to see what can be accomplished when we all work toward a common goal. Sign up today!

Share Your News! – Do you have a conservation story that you want to highlight? Let us know! We'd like to highlight your stories of 30x30 in action in the next Pathways Progress Report, in one of our Newsletters, or on our social media channels!

If you missed it:

• Welcoming Deputy Secretary for Biodiversity and Habitat, Meghan Hertel – A 30x30 Partnership Webinar, Recording from March 4, 2024.

• Advancing 30x30 in Coastal Waters – An Ocean Protection Council Webinar, Recording from March 13, 2024.

Connect – Explore our 30x30 California Instagram account @30x30CA

Continue the Dialog – Check out our 30x30 California X account @30x30CA