Governor Newsom announced a major leap forward in California’s historic 30×30 target, as outlined in the newly released Pathways to 30×30 Annual Progress Report. We’re officially halfway to 2030. The initiative was launched in 2020 with the goal of conserving 30% of California’s land and coastal waters by the end of the decade.
“This progress reflects years of hard work by thousands of Californians, from Tribal leaders to ranchers, scientists to surfers,” says California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot. “It’s a midpoint, not a finish line, but through continue work together we will achieve this important target.”
“It is vital to keep California’s public lands protected and in public hands. I’m grateful to the Tribes and local leaders who are leading this work to protect our great outdoors. And I’m proud to partner with the state as we celebrate all the progress made to date,” shared U.S. Senator Alex Padilla.
California has reached 26.1% of lands and 21.9% of coastal waters counting towards California’s 30×30 target and meeting the state’s definition of durably conserved and managed for biodiversity. In just this past year, roughly 853,000 acres of land and 191,000 acres of coastal waters have been counted and added to our total, a testament to the power of partnership and perseverance.
Key 2025 highlights include:
- The designation of Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments, led by California Native American tribes, conservation organizations, local businesses and communities, protecting more than 660,000 acres of ecologically and culturally important lands. These designations honor ancestral tribal sites, preserve critical habitats, and safeguard public access for recreation, including hunting and fishing.
- Passage of Proposition 4, the $10 billion Climate Bond approved by the voters in November, a game-changing investment in climate resilience, nature-based solutions, and equitable outdoor access-all of which will help drive 30×30 progress.
- The launch of a new roadmap and a $10 million investment to achieve 30×30 in coastal waters, which elevates California’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network as the foundation of 30×30 in coastal waters while also recognizing other coastal and marine designations, including tribally-stewarded areas, as 30×30 Conservation Areas.
- Recognition of California’s MPA Network as the international gold standard for marine conservation. This network was officially accepted to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas, a high-profile international certification that recognizes the most successful examples of biodiversity conservation worldwide and the first nature network to ever be included on the Green List.
An additional 4 million acres of land and 284,000 acres of coastal waters needs to be conserved to meet the state’s 2030 target.