Photo credit: Steve Messer. Mountain biking in Palm Springs, California.

Last month our team traveled to Palm Springs for the annual California Trails and Greenways Conference, hosted by California State Parks Department. The theme for this year’s conference was the role of trails in connecting people to places and each other. More than 300 outdoor recreation leaders met to share resources on trail management, outdoor recreation advocacy opportunities, and networking. Outdoor Alliance, in partnership with California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), California Mountain Bike Coalition (CAMTB), and Conservation Lands Foundation, led a panel discussion, “How the outdoor recreation community can help shape conservation and advance California’s 30x30 initiative.”

California recreation leaders learned about how public lands and waters and outdoor recreation can be a part of climate solutions. The discussion was kicked off with by Assistant Deputy Secretary of Biodiversity and Habitat at California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), Madeline Drake, giving an overview of California’s 30x30 initiative, which is complementary to the national effort to protect more nature. In her presentation, Drake underscored with thoughtful planning, stewardship, and education can ensure that access and recreation are balanced with biodiversity and habitat protections.

“We're grateful to have had the opportunity to discuss California's 30x30 initiative at the Trails and Greenways conference. The outdoor recreation community plays a key role in connecting people with nature, which makes them a vital partner in helping us achieve our biodiversity, access, and climate goals for 30x30,” said Drake.

Elyane Stefanick, the Director of California Program at Conservation Lands Foundation, shared a case study on Fort Ord National Monument. The former Army base is now a 28,000-acre open preserve space located on the California coastline near the Monterey Peninsula. The monument was a grassroots campaign and one of the key objects of interest in the land management proposal was the 80+ miles of multi-use trails and fire roads used for mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking. This was an incredible case study highlighting a national monument campaign and how outdoor recreation can help advance conservation in the state.

Finally, Steve Messer who serves on the Outdoor Alliance Policy Committee shared his work on the San Gabriel Mountain Community Collaborative. The coalition worked on the San Gabriel Mountain National Monument and is leading the effort on legislation for its expansion, which is being championed by Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA D-28). Messer also highlighted the Condor Peak Trail Restoration Project in the Angeles National Forest, that was spearheaded by trail stewardship group, Lowlifes Respectable Citizens’ Club. His presentation went into detail how trails can benefit habitat connectivity, improve communities access, and have benefits for local economies.

Messer said, "Presenting real-world case studies to show how recreation-informed conservation efforts can lead to success for both was helpful to the attendees, the majority of whom were already aware of the 30x30 initiative. We made a strong case that recreation and conservation are not only compatible, but complementary and necessary."

Outdoor Alliance has been deeply involved in the federal 30x30 work through the Biden administration’s Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful initiative. A love of the outdoor recreation access and collaboration is critical for protecting places we love and addressing climate change, barriers to access, and the need to conserve landscapes.

If you want to keep in touch and learn more on how you can join us to help protect important places in California, sign up here:

Trip Report: California Trails and Greenways Conference