California Leading the Way with 30×30: Where Do Our Rivers Fit In?

California launched an ambitious plan in 2020 to conserve 30% of its lands and coastal waters by the year 2030. Initiated by an executive order from Governor Newsom, in just five years the “30 x 30” Plan has already made significant progress. This collaborative effort has brought together conservationists, scientists, policymakers, and communities to protect vital ecosystems, increase access to nature, and preserve biodiversity hotspots. However, as we near realization of these goals, an important question arises: how do freshwater systems (like the Yuba) fit into this plan? 

At SYRCL, we believe the protection of freshwater resources is crucial to the success of 30×30. However, freshwater resources are largely overlooked in the plan when it comes to protecting additional areas.  

The Vision for 30×30 

The “Pathways to 30×30” report outlines strategies to achieve California’s ambitious conservation goals. A key tenet of the plan is to develop resilience to climate change.

The plan’s primary objectives include: 

• Conserving critical lands and coastal waters. 
• Protecting biodiversity hotspots to ensure the survival of diverse plant and animal species. 
• Expanding public access to nature to ensure our communities can access and enjoy the outdoors 

What Is Protected?  

The plan defines protected areas as “land and coastal water areas that are durably protected and managed to sustain functional ecosystems, both intact and restored, and the diversity of life that they support.” Conservation efforts to date have focused on lands such as national and state parks, wildlife refuges, coastal waterways, and marine protected areas. 

Key contributions to the 30% conserved goal include: 

• National Parks: Iconic parks like Yosemite, Sequoia, and Joshua Tree contribute millions of acres to the initiative. 
• Marine Protected Areas: California now has 124 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that cover 16% of its coastal waters and safeguard marine biodiversity. 
• National Marine Sanctuaries: Sanctuaries such as Monterey Bay and the Channel Islands are critical to preserving underwater ecosystems. 
• State Parks: Local treasures like the South Yuba River State Park help manage the Yuba while providing access to nature for nearby communities. 

In the Yuba watershed, 48,000 acres (7.77% of 623,900 acres) of Nevada County’s terrestrial land are conserved, allowing protection of those areas.  In addition to South Yuba River State Park, nearby conserved lands include: Rice’s Crossing (2,000 acres), Wildflower Ridge Preserve, Spenceville Wildlife Area (11,000 acres), and the Lower Yuba River (108 acres).  

Of the 623,000 acres of land in Nevada County, 48,000 acres of terrestrial land (7%) are reported as conserved.

To date, California has conserved approximately 25% of its lands and coastal waters, leaving just 5% more to achieve the 30×30 goal. But one critical component remains underrepresented: freshwater ecosystems. 

Freshwater Rivers Are Key to Biodiversity 

Freshwater rivers are lifelines of biodiversity, supporting an incredible array of plant and animal species. In California, many of these species are endemic to these environments, meaning they are found only in these areas.  Rivers connect ecosystems, sustain fisheries, and provide essential drinking water.

The 30×30 plan recognizes the importance of freshwater ecosystems but lacks specific guidance on how to protect them. While protective designations are mentioned as tools for conservation, no clear pathways or priorities for freshwater protection have been established. This is significant because the 30×30 plan explicitly recommends ways of protecting lands and coastal waters.  

Why Include Freshwater?  

Healthy rivers and watersheds are essential to achieving the broader conservation and equitable access goals of 30×30.

Freshwater ecosystems: 

• Contain a substantial amount of the state’s biodiversity. 
• Mitigate the effects of climate change by storing carbon in wetlands and floodplains. 
• Supply critical water resources to disadvantaged communities. 
• Provide easily accessible waterways for families to enjoy. 

For these reasons, 30×30 does broadly recognize that freshwater ecosystems should be protected. Currently, inclusion in the framework occurs when a river or waterway exists within a conserved land area (e.g. a state or national park) or if it has a specific designation (e.g. Wild and Scenic). However, rivers aren’t explicitly delineated as areas to be protected. The focus is on terrestrial land and coastal waters. 

Without explicit inclusion and specific guidance on a broader range of tools in the 30×30 framework, these vital freshwater ecosystems may remain vulnerable to degradation and the impacts of climate change. 

Prioritize and Elevate Freshwater Protection in 30×30 

To fully integrate freshwater ecosystems into the 30×30 plan, SYRCL proposes the following actions: 

1. Prioritize Watershed Conservation Planning: The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) should prioritize watershed conservation and identify areas most in need of protection. 

2. Protect Headwaters and Meadows: High-elevation meadows and headwaters are vital to downstream water quality and biodiversity. These areas should be prioritized for restoration and protection. 

3. Focus on Disadvantaged Communities: Freshwater restoration projects should target areas near disadvantaged communities, ensuring equitable access to clean water and healthy ecosystems. 

4. Incorporate Tribal Ecological Knowledge (TEK): Partnering with Indigenous communities to apply TEK can enhance conservation outcomes and honor cultural connections to water. 

Within the 30×30 framework, California can employ specific conservation tools to safeguard freshwater ecosystems, such as: 

• Protective Designations: Designate additional rivers as Wild and Scenic or Outstanding National Resource Waters (ONRW) to provide protection for that river’s outstanding values.  
• Permanent Conservation Easements: Protect streams, wetlands, floodplains, and meadows from development through permanent easements that surround our rivers. 
• Cultural Easement Policies: Establish policies for cultural easements to recognize and preserve Indigenous stewardship of freshwater resources. 

Opportunities with Proposition 4 

In November of 2024, California voters overwhelmingly approved a climate bond to protect water quality, prevent wildfires, and conserve our natural places.  This Proposition 4 funding offers an unparalleled opportunity to invest in freshwater conservation. These resources can be directed toward land acquisitions, restoration projects, and the development of management plans that prioritize freshwater ecosystems within the 30×30 framework. 

Summary 

California’s 30×30 plan is a positive step toward a sustainable future. However, to fully achieve the conservation goals laid out in the plan, freshwater ecosystems must be elevated as a priority. By incorporating freshwater ecosystems and rivers into the plan, we can ensure that these lifelines of biodiversity receive the protection they deserve. 

Let’s work together to advocate for the prioritization of freshwater ecosystems in California’s 30×30 plan. Our rivers are counting on us; let’s safeguard their vital role in California’s conservation efforts.   

This is the second article in a series about California’s freshwater and the 30×30 plan. Together, these articles are laying the educational foundation for our grassroots action at SYRCL’s 2025 Wild & Scenic Film Festival   

You can learn more about terrestrial lands and coastal waters that are conserved by exploring the 30×30 map. 

See 30×30 California for comprehensive information about the state’s goal to conserve 30% of California’s lands and coastal water by 2030 including strategies and progress updates.