California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a $44 million investment across 15 projects in 11 counties, targeting tribal stewardship, salmon recovery, and desert protection. This funding aims to protect the state's biodiversity and expand public access to nature, significantly advancing California's goal of conserving 30% of its lands and coastal waters by 2030, known as the 30x30 initiative.
These investments, made in partnership with the Legislature, underscore a core commitment to strengthening tribal partnerships, recognizing Indigenous communities as original stewards of California's lands and waters. Governor Newsom said, "California doesn’t back away from protecting what makes this state so extraordinary. These investments are about standing with tribes and communities, restoring the ecosystems we all depend on, and protecting the natural heritage of generations to come."
Tribal Affairs Secretary Christina Snider-Ashtari emphasized the importance of these efforts, stating, "Whether it is restoring Native practices to the lands, improving salmon runs and safeguarding eel populations, or expanding protections for desert wildlife, these awards represent Californians' shared commitment to stewarding the abundant biodiversity of the place we all call home." California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot added that these investments protect vital natural places and are "another big step toward conserving 30% of our land by 2030 in partnership with tribal communities."
The funding, granted through the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB), includes $32 million from voter-approved 2024 Climate Bond dollars. Notable projects include a grant to the Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance for the purchase of the 80-acre Politsuwi property in Lake County, expanding an Indigenous-led ecological restoration center. An $11.5 million grant to The Wildlands Conservancy will acquire 14,177 acres in Siskiyou County to expand the Beaver Valley Headwaters Preserve, protecting salmon and steelhead runs.
Further initiatives include a $2.4 million grant to California Trout for stream and floodplain habitat restoration in the Shasta Valley, and a $4 million grant to the Tahoe Resource Conservation District for meadow restoration along the Upper Truckee River. Additionally, the Mojave Desert Land Trust received $7.5 million to acquire 1,093 acres near Yucca Grove in San Bernardino County, conserving critical habitat for the Mojave desert tortoise and preventing development within the Mojave National Preserve.
These actions build on the Newsom administration's ongoing efforts to protect biodiversity and strengthen tribal relationships, including significant progress in salmon population recovery and the return of over 100,000 acres of land to California Native American tribes through various grant programs.