Summit Program – In Depth

Keynote Address from U.S. Senator Alex Padilla

United State Senator Alex Padilla has been a champion for conservation in California throughout his career. This past year, Senator Padilla was a leader in securing the expansions of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, adding over 100,00 acres of 30x30 Conservation Areas. Hear from the Senator on what it takes to achieve enduring conservation that will ensure we reach the 30x30 objectives to protect and restore biodiversity, expand access to nature, and mitigate and build resilience to climate change.

Keynote Address from Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) excelled in ensuring conservation plays a key role in the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands thanks to the leadership of Director Stone-Manning. Innovating new policies, designations, and co-management agreements with Native American tribes, BLM has been an outstanding partner in the progress towards California’s 30x30 goal. Director Stone-Manning will share how the work under the Biden-Harris Administration has built their conservation legacy.

Focus Forward Engagement

Executive Order N-82-20 signed by Governor Newsom in 2020 committed the state to the 30x30 target. As we approach the halfway point in 2025, we want to hear from you how the 30x30 movement can collectively focus in the final five years to achieve our targets. Share your experience, lessons learned, and feedback on the challenges in and opportunities for implementing the Pathways to 30x30 strategy.

Inspire Room (2-221 A)

• What does the “view from the top” look like from where you are standing in 2030?  

• What makes you and your community want to work towards 30x30? 

• How can we continue to build this movement through telling better stories and connecting with new audiences about what matters to them? 

Innovate Room (2-221 B)

• How can we be more creative in how we leverage limited resources for land protection and stewardship?  

• What are some different partnership and collaborative models you’ve seen be successful in helping support getting to 30x30? 

• Where have you seen people, organizations, or communities that have not traditionally been a part of this movement become empowered through their conservation and stewardship work, and how can we support similar efforts? 

Integrate Room (2-221 C)

• How do we better appreciate and apply different ways of knowing, such as western science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge? 

• How do we think more holistically about the land-water connection? 

• How can science and conservation for 30x30 support and connect with other critical social and environmental needs? 

30x30 Beyond the Numbers: Innovative Stewardship Projects

Hear from a panel of leaders across the state who are ensuring 30x30 is more than just a counting exercise, but that acres are meaningfully conserved, restored, and managed to protect biodiversity, expand access to nature, and mitigate and build resilience to climate change. Panelist include:

• Matthew Adams, representing the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation

• Nurit Katz, University of California Los Angeles

• Bridget Fithian, Sierra Foothill Conservancy

• Rosa Laucci, Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation

Nicholas Savino, Environmental Scientist for the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Board will be recognized as an exceptional “Hidden Hero” who is working behind the scenes to increase the pace and scale of environmental restoration to help ensure that California can meet the challenges of the biodiversity and climate crises we face. Award presented by State Water Resources Control Board Chair Joaquin Esquivel.

Knowledge Building Workshops

A suite of workshops on critical components to achieve 30x30.

Advancing 30x30 in California’s Coastal Waters (2-221A)

Hosted by Anh Diep, Michael Esgro, and Abby Mohan

The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) is leading the state’s effort to conserve 30% of our coastal waters by 2030. Achieving this ambitious target will require action across four fronts:  adaptively managing the state’s marine protected area (MPA) network; working with federal partners to strengthen biodiversity protections in California’s National Marine Sanctuaries; exploring the role of spatial management measures beyond MPAs and sanctuaries in conserving biodiversity; and supporting tribally led stewardship, including through Indigenous Marine Stewardship Areas. At this workshop, OPC will provide updates on their progress in each of these areas and review their draft decision-making framework for 30x30 in coastal waters, which was released for public comment and tribal consultation earlier this year. Additionally, they will share ways to get involved as the 30x30 movement accelerates towards its final goal. Join them to learn more, hear from others, and explore how all Californians can collectively support and advance 30x30 in coastal waters!  

Cutting Green Tape (2-221B)

Hosted by Stephen Barlow, Erika Lovejoy, Kellyx Nelson, Jen Olson, Jake Shannon, and Nick Van Vleet

This workshop will highlight how California is increasing the pace and scale of beneficial environmental restoration through Cutting Green Tape and other initiatives aimed at more efficient and cost-effective permitting processes. Through a moderated panel, attendees will hear from staff at key state agencies about how they're advancing restoration via regulatory efficiencies, and how this is an essential pathway to achieve 30x30. They will also outline future opportunities for Summit attendees to engage in this topic, including an upcoming winter webinar series.  

Building Our Collective Knowledge to Achieve 30x30 Biodiversity Goals(2-221C)

Hosted by Dr. Ana M. Alvarez, Dr. Jeanette Howard, Dr. Megan Jennings, and Dr. Steve Monfort

The California Biodiversity Network is hosting an interactive discussion session examining the opportunities and challenges we face in meeting 30x30 biodiversity goals, both within and beyond 30x30 Conservation Areas. Participants will work together to identify priorities for the role the California Biodiversity Network can play in guiding biodiversity science and conservation action moving forward to 2030 and beyond. Attendees will delve deeply into themes of 1) 30x30 Conservation Areas: How different ways of knowing can support the State’s efforts to durably conserve 30% of California’s lands and waters by 2030? and 2) Opportunities for Sustaining Biodiversity: What are the biodiversity conservation and stewardship opportunities across conservation areas in California (both within and outside of 30x30 Conservation Areas)? 

Leveraging Networks to Advance Tribal Partnerships and 30x30 Priorities (2-201)

Hosted by Meagan Flier, Eli Goodsell, Larry Notheis, and Patrick Spielman

CNRA invites tribal and non-tribal partners alike to join this workshop focused on how California Native American tribes, state agencies, and private organizations can work together to support 30x30 initiatives as well as tribal nature-based priorities. Hear from CNRA Tribal Nature-Based Solutions grant program awardee(s), the California Conservation Corps, and non-profit partners who have been collaborating on existing efforts or who are looking to collaborate on future tribal partnerships. This workshop, will endeavor to address both tribal and non-tribal needs and challenges and explore how a multi-pronged approach (e.g.,  state, tribal, and private) may yield more powerful results.

Stitching a Funding Quilt for Durable Conservation (Auditorium & Zoom)

Hosted by Sara Aminzadeh, Cathy Marcinkevage, Sedrick Mitchell, and Carlos Suarez

Most land and water conservation efforts require a portfolio of local, state, and federal funding, as well as philanthropic and private investments. This workshop will feature experts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and California State Parks who will speak to different funding streams and programs that can support acquisition, easement, and habitat restoration projects. Panelists will also share information about innovative ways of structuring and financing conservation efforts such as mitigation funding; federal infrastructure funds; as well as conservation markets or bonds. The intent of the workshop is to help attendees learn how they can stitch together a “funding quilt” of complementary project funding sources. 

Influencing with Impact to Drive Meaningful Change

Discover the power of influence with a panel of individuals who are creatively using social media and other platforms to build authentic connections and drive meaningful change. Get firsthand insights that you can apply to elevate your own work and help build the 30x30 movement. Panelist include:

• Danielle Rey Frank, Tribal Activist

• Michelle Fullner, Golden State Naturalist Podcast

• Kiana Kazemi, CalAcademy California Creator for Nature