The 30x30 plan is an initiative to protect 30% of earth's land and water by 2030.
This global initiative promotes biodiversity, climate resilience, equity, and a healthy relationship to God's creation. Rooted in current science, this initiative aims to protect habitats and create sanctuaries where life may thrive amidst climate and environmental threats. To meet these goals, we must work closely with indigenous communities, fishers, farmers, and local community members to conserve and coexist with our sacred places. President Biden committed the United States to a national 30x30 goal in January of 2021. Creation Justice Ministries is working with the Administration to ensure that the U.S. 30x30 goals are just and equitable for God's planet and people.
How Can You Get Involved?
Write to your members of Congress and local elected officials to encourage the protection of our beloved earth! Feel free to use this sample letter as a template. Find out who your elected officials are and how to contact them here.
Choose a specific environmental issue or proposed policy that matters to you! We've created an action alert here where you can write a letter of support for ocean climate action.
Keep learning about 30x30! Find out what's happening in your local communities, stay updated, and tell your friends. There are some resources listed below: videos, articles, podcasts and websites.
Share 30x30 Social Media Posts. Help spread the word by sharing 30x30 information and updates on social media. For inspiration, check out the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary's Instagram. Use the hashtag: #Protect30x30
Spend time in nature. Whether it is a single tree in your city, or a nearby forest preserve, take time to reflect on the natural spaces in your community. The first step in conservation is to pay attention. To pay attention to beauty and any changes we may notice over time. To be aware of the plants and animals around us. To take a moment for reverence, for admiration, for observation, for curiosity. This could also look like walking along a river, sitting in quiet contemplation, writing, or creating art outdoors. Reflecting on our connections to our environment can equip us to be protectors and advocates for the health of our planet.
Reflection Questions (feel free to write your own): Do you know where your water comes from? What is your local watershed like? Is there a natural space (meadow, lake, shoreline, forest, hill, etc.) that you feel particularly connected to? What types of birds can you see in your neighborhood? In what ways are you a part of an ecosystem? How can you share God's Creation with others? How can you show love to your environment?
Choose a specific environmental issue or proposed policy that matters to you! We've created an action alert here where you can write a letter of support for ocean climate action.
Keep learning about 30x30! Find out what's happening in your local communities, stay updated, and tell your friends. There are some resources listed below: videos, articles, podcasts and websites.
Share 30x30 Social Media Posts. Help spread the word by sharing 30x30 information and updates on social media. For inspiration, check out the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary's Instagram. Use the hashtag: #Protect30x30
Spend time in nature. Whether it is a single tree in your city, or a nearby forest preserve, take time to reflect on the natural spaces in your community. The first step in conservation is to pay attention. To pay attention to beauty and any changes we may notice over time. To be aware of the plants and animals around us. To take a moment for reverence, for admiration, for observation, for curiosity. This could also look like walking along a river, sitting in quiet contemplation, writing, or creating art outdoors. Reflecting on our connections to our environment can equip us to be protectors and advocates for the health of our planet.
Reflection Questions (feel free to write your own): Do you know where your water comes from? What is your local watershed like? Is there a natural space (meadow, lake, shoreline, forest, hill, etc.) that you feel particularly connected to? What types of birds can you see in your neighborhood? In what ways are you a part of an ecosystem? How can you share God's Creation with others? How can you show love to your environment?
Podcasts Videos
California 30x30
California is committed to protecting 30% of Creation by 2030. To meet this goal, The Newsom Administration (along with input from thousands of California residents) complied strategies and action steps in the document "Pathways to 30x30." This resource highlights the designation of marine sanctuaries and land preserves, the protection of biodiversity, building climate resilience, and increasing equitable access to our natural spaces.
Learn more and read the Pathways document at 30x30 | California Nature
Learn more and read the Pathways document at 30x30 | California Nature
America The Beautiful
The Biden Administration launched the America the Beautiful initiative, alongside the 30x30 plan, to increase equitable access to our natural spaces. This includes creating parks in nature-deprived communities and supporting tribal-led conservation efforts (such as the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary). The designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary will go a long way toward meeting the goals of the America the Beautiful initiative.
Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary
The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary is the nation's first proposed tribal-led marine sanctuary. California is working to designate 7,670 square miles as protected marine sanctuary.
The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary is the nation's first proposed tribal-led marine sanctuary. California is working to designate 7,670 square miles as protected marine sanctuary.
Map of The Proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary
Credit: NOAA (sanctuaries.noaa.gov/chumash-heritage)
What Are Marine Sanctuaries?
Highly and fully protected marine sanctuaries are the most effective method for protecting ocean ecosystems. In order to reach our 30x30 goals, we must encourage the creation of more marine sanctuaries. Marine sanctuaries are a type of Marine Protected Area that protect diverse habitats and vary in size. Marine sanctuaries place restrictions on human activity such as fishing, aquaculture, and collection. Each marine sanctuary has individual regulations, unique to its location and community. Our oceans are in need of this type of protection, as they hold incredible biodiversity, provide carbon-sinks for our atmosphere, and serve as home for a vast number of marine creatures. Marine sanctuaries are a scientific and policy-based solution to the human destruction of our ocean. In faith communities, we know sanctuary to be a place of refuge and safety. As we encourage the creation of marine sanctuaries, are creating places for God's marine creation to find refuge and flourish too.
30x30 Resources: Articles, Websites, & More
30x30: Protect 30% of the Planet's Land and Water by 2030 (nature.org)
Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (chumashsanctuary.org)
Reclaiming the California Coastline (only.one)
Northern Chumash Tribal Council Celebrates Decision to Advance Chumash Heritage National Marine
Sanctuary Designation - Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary
30x30: NRDC’s Commitment to Protect Nature and Life on Earth | NRDC
30x30: What This Ambitious and Visionary Goal Could Mean for Our Ocean | Environmental Law Institute (eli.org)
| 2021-proposed-designation-chumash-heritage-national-marine-sanctuary.pdf |
| the-mpa-guide-science-2021.pdf |
Download 30x30 Bulletin Insert
Download Virtual 30x30 Bulletin Insert
