Five years left and millions of miles to go
Is California on track to hit its 30×30 conservation goals? The second annual Pathways to 30×30 Progress Report reveals both achievements and challenges in the race to protect 30% of our lands and waters by 2030. With just five years left, the stakes couldn’t be higher—clean air, drinking water, climate resilience, and public access are all on the line. Find out where we stand and why this pivotal moment could define our environmental future.
Eamon O’Byrne, Executive Director
California's pathways to 30x30: progress, challenges, and Prop. 4
The state’s second Pathways to 30×30 California Annual Progress Report highlights strides and setbacks in its ambitious goal to conserve 30% of its lands and coastal waters by 2030. With roughly five years left to conserve millions of acres in California, we are on pace to meet the 30×30 goals and are also at a pivotal tipping point.
Based on last year’s report, we projected that we would need to conserve at least one million acres of land and about 83,333 acres of coastal waters every year until 2030 to reach our goal. The new report finds that the state was successful in adding approximately 631,000 acres and has made meaningful headway on 79 of the 112 actions outlined in the document. Achieving the 30×30 goals would secure more clean air and drinking water, increase open access to lands, and provide mitigation for our escalating climate crisis.
This is good news and if 30×30 were a marathon, we’re on pace, especially for the land conservation efforts! Roughly 25% of California’s lands are now protected. That is nearly 1.5 million acres, or put another way, approximately 50x as large as all the land in San Francisco. Other wins last year include the Ocean Protection Council investing $9.5 million in the Tribal Marine Stewards Network, two national monuments expanded in their protected acreage, and over 19,000 acres reallocated to the Hoopa Valley Tribe (source). Californians also voted on and approved Proposition 4–the climate bond that will provide $1.2 billion for biodiversity and climate resilience.
When it comes to water conservation, we weren’t able to accomplish what we had hoped for, as the report finds little progress in securing new Marine Protected Areas that can conserve larger areas of coastline. However, stay tuned as news of projects close to home will surface in the coming year.
Moving ahead, we will need ample public support as well as political representatives on our side. That’s why, as a member of the coalition, Power in Nature, we also sent 30×30 advocates to COP29 this November. This is what it means to act locally while also showing up globally.
As we reflect on this year’s progress toward 30×30, it’s clear that the real story lies beneath the surface—beyond the numbers. With every acre conserved, and restoration project completed, we move a step toward a healthier, more resilient and climate-ready ecosystem. These efforts are investments in a future where nature can thrive and, in turn, support the health of our communities. The road to 30×30 is not just a race against time, or to conserve every last acre, but a journey of healing and restoration. With patience and persistence, we’re creating a lasting legacy of renewal that future generations will inherit with gratitude that we did this important work now.
Los caminos de California hacia el 30x30: avances, retos y la Prop. 4
El segundo Informe anual de progreso “Los caminos de California hacia el 30×30” destaca los avances y retrocesos del Estado en su ambicioso objetivo de conservar el 30% de sus tierras y aguas costeras para 2030. A falta de unos cinco años para conservar millones de acres en California, estamos en el buen camino para alcanzar los objetivos 30×30. También nos encontramos en un punto crítico.
Basándonos en el informe del año pasado, preveíamos que tendríamos que conservar al menos un millón de acres de tierra y unos 83.333 acres de aguas costeras cada año hasta 2030 para alcanzar nuestro objetivo. El nuevo informe concluye que el Estado ha conseguido añadir aproximadamente 631.000 acres y ha logrado avances significativos en 79 de las 112 acciones descritas en el documento. Alcanzar los objetivos 30×30 garantizaría más aire limpio y agua potable, aumentaría el acceso abierto a las tierras y mitigaría nuestra creciente crisis climática.
Son buenas noticias y, si 30×30 fuera un maratón, iríamos a buen ritmo, sobre todo en lo que tiene que ver con la conservación de la tierra. Aproximadamente el 25% de las tierras de California están ahora protegidas. Esto supone casi 1,5 millones de acres, o dicho de otro modo, aproximadamente 50 veces más que todo el territorio de San Francisco. Otros logros de este año incluyen la inversión de 9,5 millones de dólares del Consejo de Protección Oceánica (Ocean Protection Council) en la Red Tribal de Gestores y Protectores Marinos (Tribal Marine Stewards Network), la ampliación de la superficie protegida de dos monumentos nacionales y la reasignación de más de 19.000 acres a la tribu Hoopa Valley (fuente). Los californianos también votaron y aprobaron la Proposición 4, el bono climático que destinará 1.200 millones de dólares a la biodiversidad y la resiliencia climática.
En lo que tiene que ver con la conservación del agua, no hemos conseguido lo que esperábamos, ya que el informe constata escasos avances en la creación de nuevas zonas marinas protegidas que puedan conservar zonas costeras más extensas. No obstante, permanezca atento/a a las noticias sobre proyectos cercanos a su vecindario que están por llegar el año que viene.
De cara al futuro, necesitaremos un amplio apoyo público, así como representantes políticos de nuestro lado. Por eso, como miembro de la coalición Poder en la Naturaleza (Power in Nature), también enviamos a defensores 30×30 a la COP29 este noviembre. Esto es lo que significa actuar a nivel local y al mismo tiempo manifestarse a nivel mundial.
Al reflexionar sobre los avances de este año hacia el 30×30, está claro que la verdadera historia se encuentra bajo la superficie, más allá de los datos. Con cada acre conservado y cada proyecto de restauración completado, avanzamos un paso hacia un ecosistema más sano, resiliente y preparado para el cambio climático. Estos esfuerzos son inversiones en un futuro en el que la naturaleza pueda prosperar y, a su vez, apoyar la salud de nuestras comunidades. El camino hacia el 30×30 no es solo una carrera contrarreloj ni un intento de conservar hasta el último acre, sino un viaje de curación y restauración. Con paciencia y persistencia, estamos creando un legado duradero de renovación que heredarán las generaciones futuras, agradecidas por haber hecho ahora esta importante labor.
A climate strategy for salmon
California’s iconic salmon face mounting threats from habitat loss, water mismanagement, and climate change. Once teeming in the millions, their populations have plummeted to a fraction of historical levels, leaving them increasingly reliant on hatcheries for survival. Yet, these resilient species—keystone to ecosystems, Indigenous traditions, and the state’s economy—hold the key to broader ecological recovery.
Salmon are vital to California’s ecosystems, and their presence supports entire ecosystems by cycling nutrients, enriching habitats, and serving as a food source for other species. Four salmon species—Chinook, coho, pink, and chum—along with steelhead, navigate California’s rivers and oceans, sustaining Indigenous traditions, fishing communities, and recreational anglers. However, decades of habitat degradation, water mismanagement, and now climate change have significantly reduced their populations from millions to a fraction of historical levels, leaving them reliant on hatcheries for survival.
Despite these challenges, salmon possess a natural resilience, honed over millions of years of adapting to climate shifts. This adaptability underscores California’s strategy to restore and protect salmon habitats while addressing broader ecological concerns. Efforts include removing barriers to migration, enhancing watersheds, and supporting diverse salmon survival strategies.
Ecological restoration in California must accelerate to match the growing threats to biodiversity, particularly for endangered species like salmon. State agencies have launched ambitious projects like the 30,000-acre Big Notch Project in the Yolo Bypass, the largest floodplain restoration in state history, and the Oregon Gulch Project on the Trinity River, led by the Yurok Tribal Fisheries Program. Collaborative strategies like these are funded ($22.5 million alone approved for salmon restoration in 2023), and focused on removing barriers, enhancing streamflow, and stabilizing habitats. These efforts not only improve salmon habitats, but also reconnect rivers to floodplains, recharge groundwater, and support migratory birds. To ensure meaningful progress, California must integrate restoration into infrastructure planning, embrace nature-based solutions (such as beaver-assisted recovery), and streamline permitting processes to expedite critical projects.
Key strongholds such as the Smith River, the Klamath River tributaries, and parts of the Sacramento River region illustrate the potential of strategic habitat restoration to create refuges and ripple benefits across ecosystems.
The state’s Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future aims to secure partnerships among Tribal Nations, conservation groups, industries, and government agencies. By protecting and expanding resilient watersheds, California not only safeguards salmon populations but also strengthens aquatic ecosystems against climate disruptions. This comprehensive approach is essential to preserving salmon as a cultural, ecological, and economic cornerstone for generations to come.
Local watersheds remain a top priority in Sonoma County
In the Bay Area, the 30×30 movement is going strong. Napa and San Mateo County are making great progress in their land conservation efforts, with 35% and 42% of all land protected, respectively. As of December, Sonoma County has protected 22% of its land. This means that together, we will need to protect 78,000 more acres (think 78,000 football fields) to make the 30×30 vision happen at a local level. (see the Bay Area Greenprint here for the full details of the report)
This year, the addition of 100-Acre Ranch in the Mayacamas, linking recent large acquisitions such as McCormick Ranch to existing protected lands, resulted in a big win toward managing water flow and water quality for Sonoma County residents. From the top of the watershed to the bay, clean and cool water supports the lifecycle of local salmon, whose populations signal the overall health of a watershed. Our Russian River Subwatershed Strategy is guiding acquisition priorities by focusing directly on projects to increase freshwater flows in the five key streams that are most essential to the survival of Coho salmon. The recent triumphant return of Chinook salmon to Stuart Creek is the culmination of two decades of strategic acquisitions and a major restoration effort to remove three barriers to upstream passage, showing us that strategy pays off over time.
We also developed the Petaluma and Sonoma Creek Baylands strategies to target tens of thousands of additional acres for tidal wetland restoration. Restoring and expanding this habitat is a top priority that will support salmon spawning and rearing, and secure clean water.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to protecting the Baylands, which lost nearly 82% of its historic wetlands to agriculture and development. Protecting and restoring these low-lying wetlands remains crucial for mitigating rising sea levels and flooding after major storms.
An entrepreneurial spirit for land conservation
Jake and Toni, co-founders of Nolo, a self-help legal services company, embody the entrepreneurial spirit that drives meaningful change. Nolo was born from a desire to empower individuals to take control, providing affordable tools to non-lawyers, to navigate complex legal systems. This ethos extends seamlessly to their passion for land conservation and community-driven solutions and their support for Sonoma Land Trust.
In addition to their desire to help low-income families in the Bay Area with affordable legal solutions, Jake and Toni found a deep connection in their shared love for the natural world. Their journey began with an appreciation for open spaces, inspired by childhoods in urban landscapes where access to nature was scarce.
Toni grew up in Watts, a community near Los Angeles that has experienced social, economic, and environmental neglect for decades, and where green space was a luxury. “The biggest expanse of greenery near our home was a small golf course, and it wasn’t even close by,” she recalls. Surrounded by freeways and urban sprawl, her family sought refuge in national parks, places where they felt welcome despite the challenges of post-war America. “National parks were our safe haven. We visited every one we could reach. It was where I first learned to appreciate the beauty of open space.”
Jake’s upbringing in Brooklyn, New York painted a similar picture of life without access to nature. The city where the term “concrete jungle” was made famous because of its towering buildings and pavement playgrounds, his exposure to the natural outdoors was minimal. These early experiences in urban environments fostered a deep appreciation for nature later in life—a desire to protect what they didn’t have as children.
Today, Toni and Jake cherish Sonoma County’s breathtaking trails, its agricultural bounty, and the opportunity to protect these spaces for future generations. Reflecting on their early days, Jake recalls a transformative experience spearheading efforts to preserve Point Pinole Regional Park in the 1960s. Mobilizing a diverse coalition of local residents, including underserved communities and environmental advocates, he discovered that collective action can create lasting change. “You just have to start,” Jake says. “Sometimes remarkable things happen.”
This philosophy also shapes their support for initiatives like the 30×30 campaign, a global effort to conserve 30% of land and water by 2030, and Sonoma Land Trust’s local efforts to help achieve it. While they acknowledge the challenges, Toni and Jake emphasize storytelling as a key to building connections. “When people understand the joy these preserved spaces bring, they want to be part of protecting them,” Jake explains.
Toni and Jake’s advocacy doesn’t stop at financial support—they share their home and love for the outdoors, inspiring others to explore and cherish Sonoma County’s natural wonders. They believe small actions, like spreading awareness about local conservation efforts, can ripple out to create a significant impact. As Toni puts it, “Everyone can contribute to preserving the beauty and resilience of this land.”
Their story is a reminder that conservation is a community endeavor. Whether it’s protecting wildlife corridors, restoring tidal marshes, or simply enjoying a bike ride through preserved trails, Toni and Jake show us that every step counts. By taking action today, we’re not just protecting the environment; we’re paying it forward for the generations to come.
Learn more about nolo at: https://www.nolo.com/about/history
Events
Attention all cyclists and cycling enthusiasts!
Sonoma Land Trust invites you to join their cycling team in the Green Fondo Climate Ride from May 16-18, 2025.
Registration is $75 if you take advantage of the subsidized registration offer before January 15th. The fundraising requirement for each participant is $250.
To join our team:
- Go to the Registration Link: https://support.climateride.org/team/6562
- Select “Join Our Team” to continue registration
- Choose Sonoma Land Trust as your sole fundraising beneficiary so that all your donations support our mission
- Share with others and start fundraising!
Registration is filling quickly (already 1/2 full), so please register soon.
Free Language of the Land Webinars
Language of the Land: Backyard Birding
Join Teresa and Miles Tuffli to meet the neighborhood and backyard birds of Sonoma County. We’ll learn about 20 of our local bird species, including how to identify them by sight and sound, some birdwatching basics, and how to continue learning on your own!
January 29, 2025, 7pm
Language of the Land: Climate Change in California
Dr. Daniel Swain will explore what we know, and what we don’t know, about climate change in California. We all know that global warming brings warmer temperatures overall, of course. But in California, the rest is pretty complicated! He’ll also talk about heatwaves, wildfires, and the marine layer—and how the experience of near-coastal denizens may be quite different from those farther inland.
February 26, 2025, 6pm
Watch On Demand
Language of the Land: Forest Bathing
Learn about Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” a mindfulness practice developed in Japan using simple sensory awareness techniques to foster a deep connection with nature.
Thank you for helping us meet our end of year fundraising goal!
We’re thrilled to announce we met our $1.7 Million End of Year Goal—because of you! Your gift means we have the resources to start 2025 strong, securing permanent protection for lands that sustain wildlife, support healthy habitats, and reduce climate impacts while ensuring Sonoma County remains one of the most beautiful and biologically diverse counties in the U.S. forever!
Free outings
Join us out in nature this winter! In addition to our monthly bilingual Familias al Aire Libre/Families Outdoors outing, we’re hosting a series of weekend hikes across the county!
Many of these hikes are in partnership with Sonoma County Ag + Open Space.
Staff recommendation
“To learn more about how California is advancing the 30×30 goal statewide, check out the California Natural Resources Agency’s California Nature website. There are lots of webinars covering topics ranging from wildlife crossings, tribal stewardship, and our progress towards 30×30.”
Honoring Larry Broderick
It is with heavy hearts we share the passing of our dear friend and longtime volunteer, Larry Broderick. Larry worked with us for nearly 20 years, coordinating his extremely popular raptor walks and presentations, where he opened our eyes to the amazing world of raptors.
It’s difficult to find adequate words to capture the enormity of Larry’s impact on our conservation world. Larry’s passion for nature and birds was expansive and contagious. Just a few months ago, an outing intern shared that though the raptor walks were fascinating, their favorite moments “were watching Larry watch raptors”! Larry always had input on rare hawk sightings and the significance of certain occurrences or thoughts on the abundance of overwintering species and had the pulse of trends related to raptor sightings and numbers.
His accomplishments were many. He was a California Certified Naturalist, a keen observer of nature, a raptor interpretive specialist, and a natural-born leader who was outspoken about all that he cared about- primarily his family that he adored and his enthusiasm for the birding community that he galvanized. He founded the Jenner Headlands Hawk Watch in 2009 and received several awards for volunteering his time in the community. Larry was an enthusiastic docent for Sonoma Land Trust at Sears Point for the three-year program post-levee breach. As a birds-of-prey educational specialist, he hosted presentations and led popular raptor walks that were packed with first-hand stories from the field and interesting information about local and migrating birds. He also conducted Bird and Wildlife surveys for local nature organizations, including Sonoma Land Trust. Most recently, he was working with his team on documenting the rare sightings of broad-winged hawks migrating through Jenner and submitting the data to be added to migration maps of the area. Larry always credited his mentors–Peter Leveque and Betty Burridge, among others–but he inspired thousands through nearly two decades of providing raptor tours and talks.
We are grateful for the extraordinary commitment of time, knowledge, and inspiration Larry shared with us. Anyone who was able to attend one of his walks or presentations could not help but be infected by his passion and enthusiasm for raptors and other birds. He will be deeply missed, but his spirit will soar on with everyone who knew him.
Our hearts are with Larry’s family and the entire birding community as we process the heartbreaking news of his passing.
If you would like to help Larry’s family during this difficult time, there is a GoFundMe page set up for him and a Meal train for his wife and children.