California’s 30×30 Initiative and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

California’s 30×30 Initiative is an ambitious conservation plan to protect 30% of the state’s land and coastal waters by 2030. This Initiative, launched by Governor Gavin Newsom through Executive Order N-82-20, aligns with a global goal to combat biodiversity loss, climate change, and environmental degradation by preserving critical ecosystems. For California—a state with diverse habitats ranging from deserts to redwood forests—the Initiative represents a significant step toward protecting its unique natural heritage.

What is the Goal of the 30×30 Initiative?

The 30×30 Initiative focuses on three main objectives:

1. Conserving Biodiversity: Protecting critical habitats for wildlife, plants, and other organisms that contribute to healthy ecosystems.
2. Combating Climate Change: Preserving natural areas that store carbon, such as forests, grasslands, and soils, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Equitable Access to Nature: Expanding opportunities for all Californians to experience and benefit from the state’s natural beauty and resources.

To achieve these goals, the Initiative emphasizes collaboration with tribes, local communities, private landowners, and conservation organizations to ensure inclusivity and sustainable outcomes.

How Does Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Fit into the 30×30 Initiative?

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the largest state park in California, plays a vital role in advancing the goals of the 30×30 Initiative. Here’s how:

1. Biodiversity Hotspot: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is home to an extraordinary array of wildlife and plant species, including the endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep and unique desert flora like ocotillo and creosote. Preserving this biodiversity ensures the survival of species adapted to the harsh desert climate.
2. Carbon Sequestration: While deserts may not immediately come to mind as carbon sinks, the Park contributes to carbon storage through its soils, including cryptobiotic crusts, which play a role in trapping atmospheric carbon. Protecting these ecosystems supports California’s efforts to mitigate climate change.
3. Protecting Fragile Ecosystems: The Park’s desert ecosystems are highly sensitive to disturbances such as overdevelopment, off-road vehicle use, and climate change. By conserving these lands, California ensures the preservation of fragile habitats that cannot easily recover from damage.
4. Connecting Landscapes: The Park serves as a critical piece of a more extensive ecological network. It connects with adjacent protected areas, such as the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, providing migratory corridors for wildlife. The 30×30 Initiative outlines the importance of maintaining these types of connected landscapes to support healthy populations and ecosystems.
5. Cultural and Tribal Collaboration: The Park includes lands with deep cultural significance to local Indigenous communities. The 30×30 Initiative prioritizes partnerships with Native tribes to protect these areas while honoring their ancestral connections and traditional ecological knowledge.

How is Anza-Borrego Foundation Advancing California’s 30×30 Goals?

We play a critical role in supporting the 30×30 Initiative, helping to protect and conserve the natural and cultural heritage of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the surrounding region. As the official nonprofit partner of the Park, our efforts directly contribute to achieving the initiative’s goals of conserving 30% of California’s lands and waters by 2030. Here’s how we are working to meet these ambitious targets:

1. Land Conservation and Stewardship: We are actively involved in conserving and protecting critical lands within and around Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

• Land Acquisition: We acquire private inholdings and adjacent parcels of land to expand protected areas and reduce habitat fragmentation. By connecting landscapes, this ensures wildlife corridors remain intact.

2. Climate Resilience and Carbon Sequestration: We contribute to climate change mitigation through:

• Protecting Cryptobiotic Soil: We educate to prevent damage to cryptobiotic soil, a key player in carbon storage and desert health.
• Ecosystem Research: Partnering with the Park and UCI’s Steele-Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center, we provide support to researchers in the desert.

3. Promoting Equitable Access to Nature: One of the 30×30 Initiative’s goals is to ensure equitable access to natural spaces for all Californians. Our outreach and education programs make the desert accessible and inclusive:

• Community Engagement: We organize programs that bring underrepresented communities, such as youth from urban areas, into the Park to experience its beauty and learn about conservation.
• Educational Programs: Through guided hikes, workshops, and events, we help visitors understand the importance of desert ecosystems and how to care for them.
• Family Camping Program: We offer support for families to experience camping in the desert connecting them to nature and future stewardship.

4. Building Partnerships for Conservation: ABF understands that achieving 30×30 requires collaboration:

• Tribal Partnerships: We work with local tribes to share their knowledge about their culture.
• Research and Science: We partner with universities, researchers, and state agencies to gather research and scientific data that can be shared with the public.
• Regional Collaboration: We are the leading organization for the Mojave and Colorado Deserts Biosphere Region (MCDBR), ensuring the Park’s protection is part of a broader landscape-level strategy.

5. Inspiring Conservation Through Advocacy and Education: We raise awareness about the importance of protecting the desert through our communications and events:

• Advocacy Campaigns: We advocate for policies that support land conservation, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
• Educational Content: Through articles, newsletters, and social media, we highlight the importance of the 30×30 Initiative and how everyone can contribute to its success.

Resources for the Public

To learn more about the 30×30 Initiative, how it connects to the Park, and how you can help, check out these resources:

• California 30×30 Initiative Overview: Learn about the state’s conservation goals, story maps, open data, and current progress. California Nature
• Anza-Borrego Foundation Programs: Explore our programs, events, and how to get involved. ABF Website
• Leave No Trace Principles: Practical tips for reducing your impact in natural areas. Leave No Trace Principles
• Mojave and Colorado Deserts Biosphere Reserve: Learn about regional conservation efforts and partnerships. MCDBR Story Map
• Research in Anza-Borrego: Discover ongoing projects supported by us in our Desert Researcher Magazine!

A Vision for the Future

Our ongoing work ensures that Anza-Borrego Desert State Park remains a vital piece of California’s conservation landscape. By protecting the Park’s biodiversity, promoting climate resilience, and fostering equitable access to nature, we directly support the goals of the 30×30 Initiative.

Through these efforts, we are not only safeguarding the desert’s future but also inspiring a shared commitment to preserving California’s natural wonders for generations to come.