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Sharing stories of conserving 30% of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030 (30x30) in action, highlighting funding opportunities, and connecting with each other to inspire new partnerships.
"Humanity is a part of nature, not above it."
– Harrison Ford
As we close out May, California’s 30x30 movement continues to move forward with renewed energy and a growing constellation of partners working to safeguard biodiversity across the state. Across agencies, tribes, nonprofits, and local communities, conservation momentum is accelerating in measurable ways.
New investments are strengthening wildlife corridors and safeguarding imperiled species, while multi-agency planning efforts are shaping the future of pollinator conservation. From watershed-scale habitat restoration to the long-awaited return of regional fisheries, this month’s stories reinforce the power of science-based action, collaboration, and community leadership in building a more resilient California.
We’re also spotlighting a powerful reminder of why this work matters. In a commencement address at Arizona State University, Harrison Ford called on the next generation to champion global 30x30 commitments and uplift Indigenous Knowledge as a guiding force in healing the planet. His remarks echo a guiding principle of our work: lasting conservation is rooted in reciprocity, respect, and a shared responsibility to conserve the natural systems that sustain us all.
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30x30 in Action
Highlighting conservation successes that will help us reach 30x30.
| | | | Wildlife Conservation Board Approves $80.4 Million for Projects Supporting Conservation and Access – The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) has approved $80.4 million for projects that boost wildlife connectivity, restore salmon habitat, protect biodiversity, and expand public access across California. Funding includes major investments to reopen miles of upstream habitat for Chinook salmon and steelhead and to restore tidal marsh areas that strengthen climate resilience. These projects advance 30x30’s key priorities and deliver tangible benefits for wildlife and local communities. | | | | |
Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy Awards Over $2M to Protect Endangered Species – The Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy has awarded over $2 million in grants to bolster regional conservation efforts, including targeted measures to protect endangered desert pupfish habitats and improve wildlife connectivity. These investments underscore the Conservancy’s commitment to science-driven, multi-benefit, and collaborative strategies.
| | | | Commercial Salmon Fishing Returns After Three Years of Closures – For the first time since 2022, California’s commercial ocean salmon fishery is reopening. After three years of closures driven by drought, warming rivers, and collapsing fish populations, state and federal managers announced that salmon conditions have improved enough to allow commercial fishing to resume. Commercial fishing is limited to certain days and subject to regional harvest guidelines, including monitoring that can trigger early closures if needed. This approach follows California’s Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future and is designed to protect rebuilding populations while restoring access to the fishery. | |
Community Conversations
Sharing voices from partners across California committed to the 30x30 goal.
| | | | Harrison Ford Champions 30x30 in Commencement Speech – Actor Harrison Ford delivered a heartfelt speech at Arizona State University’s commencement, urging graduates to steward the global initiative to protect 30% of Earth’s land and oceans by 2030, emphasizing that conserving even “a small fraction” of irreplaceable ecosystems can safeguard air, water, food, jobs, and climate stability. He also highlighted the indispensable role of Indigenous Knowledge in conservation, highlighting reciprocity and uplifting Traditional Ecological Knowledge as a time-tested model for healing the planet. | | | | How a Wild Animal Keeper Found Her Own Niche – As Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month comes to a close, the Wildlife Conservation Society profiles Carol Yi, a Wild Animal Keeper at the Prospect Park Zoo in New York City. Her journey from volunteering in Queens’ Ranger Conservation Corps—planting saplings, creating compost, and identifying local trees—to becoming a wild animal keeper highlights her deep-rooted commitment to conservation. Her story underscores how empathy, observation, and dedication in daily care contribute to broader wildlife conservation goals. | | | | Following the Flyway: How Protected Lands Support Spring Migration – The Pacific Flyway is one of four great migration corridors in North America, hosting an estimated one billion birds each spring. Networks of conserved lands and wildlife crossings are critical resting and feeding spots along the way. In this article, the Wildlands Conservancy highlights many of their preserves, from the coast to the desert, demonstrating the diverse ecosystems that support birds during the migratory season. | | | | Celebrating 100 Years of David Attenborough – Sir David Attenborough recently celebrated his 100th birthday, honored by a PBS special and even a newly discovered wasp named in his honor. Over a decades‑long career, he has brought groundbreaking series such as Life on Earth, Planet Earth, and The Blue Planet into homes around the world. In a retrospective interview, he emphasized that the true power of nature films lies in revealing Earth’s wonders so that audiences not only marvel at wildlife, but also feel compelled to protect it. His legacy stands as a testament to the profound impact of storytelling in advancing conservation. | |
Funding Opportunities
A space to share funding opportunities that will support 30x30.
| | | | California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) Urban Greening Grant Program – CNRA is accepting concept proposals for projects that use nature-based solutions to mitigate the urban heat island effect, rising temperatures, and extreme heat impacts in urban areas. Successful projects will green and cool communities and offer multiple benefits including sequestering carbon, limiting stormwater runoff, providing habitat and preserving biodiversity, protecting public health during extreme heat, increasing equity, and expanding economic and workforce opportunities. Step 1 Concept Proposals are due by 5 pm on June 4, 2026. | | | | CAL FIRE Regional Wildfire & Landscape Resilience Grants – CAL FIRE aims to accelerate landscape-scale, regionally appropriate activities that are consistent with the California Climate Bond’s goals to strengthen local capacity, improve landscape health and resilience, and reduce wildfire risk to communities. Regional Grants will fund collaborative land management partnerships and entities that have developed, planned, and are ready to implement portfolios of multi-benefit projects across a landscape. The program will follow a two-phase application process, with concept proposals due by 3 pm on June 30, 2026. | | | | Strategic Growth Council Tribal Capacity Building Program – The Tribal Capacity Building Program provides funding and technical assistance to help develop long-term capacity to secure funding and implement tribal-led climate and housing-related projects. More details about the program can be found here. Applications are due 5 pm on August 11, 2026. | |
California Biodiversity Network (CBN) News
Bringing together environmental experts and community leaders to conserve California’s biodiversity.
| | Join the California Biodiversity Network (CBN) – Sign up to receive CBN updates and participate in the equity forum and collaborative roundtables on biodiversity protection, stewardship, environmental education, and scientific inquiry. | | |
News from Network Partners:
The Network is Turning 10! – Save the date to join the celebration at Granlibakken Tahoe on October 20 – 22, 2026, for three days of sharing knowledge and actively building collaborative stewardship practices. Early bird registration ends August 15, 2026.
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Take Action
Highlighting opportunities to get involved to help advance 30x30.
| | | | California State Parks Week June 10-14, 2026 – This exciting annual event celebrates both the amazing diversity found within these iconic places, as well as the people who visit and help conserve them. It’s an opportunity to come together to connect with nature and find joy while highlighting inclusion and access, community well-being, collaborative partnerships, and stewardship. There are hundreds of events happening across the state - find one near you! | | | | |
Volunteer with California Climate Action Corps – Help empower Californians to take meaningful action to serve and help protect our most vulnerable communities against the harshest impacts of climate change. Check out the full list of events here.
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Los Angeles County: Greening the Rio Hondo Trail, Peck Conservation Park - June 6, 2026, 8 am – 11 am
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Fresno County: River Care Day, San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust - June 13, 2026, 9 am – 12 pm
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Los Angeles County: Greening Washington Elementary - June 21, 2026, 8 am – 11 am
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San Diego County: Sips & Sagebrush at Mission Hills Canyon - June 26, 2026, 9 am – 11:30 pm
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Stay Connected
Find more information and reach out to us.
| | | | Visit the CNRA Career Center – The new Career Center is open to current and prospective employees who are seeking guidance on career development! Experienced recruiters can help you both virtually or in-person at all stages of your job or internship search, from finding the perfect position, to polishing your resume, to filling out applications, and even practicing interviews. To schedule a virtual consultation with a CNRA recruiter, email careercenter@resources.ca.gov or drop by The Poppy Pavilion at 715 P. Street in person from 11 am to 4 pm every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. | | | | Secretary Speaker Series: Ready, Set, Go! California’s Climate Bond in Action – California’s Climate Bond is turning historic funding into real results. State investments are helping communities reduce wildfire risk, diversify water supplies, restore habitats, expand access to nature, protect farmland, and adjust to intensifying climate extremes. Watch this conservation with Secretary Crowfoot, state leaders, and nonprofit partners about how these funds are being used and how state agencies are working to make it easier to use bond funding to protect communities and natural spaces across California. | | | | Secretary Speaker Series: Buckle Up - What’s the Wildfire Outlook for this Year? – Record March temperatures melted the mountain snowpack and seared landscapes from one end of the state to the other. Watch this conversation between Secretary Crowfoot and state leaders for the latest on conditions and hear what California has been doing to prepare for peak fire season, protect communities, and accelerate wildfire safety projects. | | | | |
