Conclusion

A last word

The moment has arrived to confront the climate and nature crises by working to protect 30% of America by 2030. The natural landscapes of the Western United States provide a unique opportunity to preserve our natural heritage while supporting local communities. Western states have starkly different cultures and challenges, but all have a strong conservation legacy.

The West is positioned well to lead the way in a new era of conservation. By continuing and expanding innovative work already happening on the ground, states can contribute to the bold 30x30 goal while promoting locally-led efforts and driving a wide range of benefits for taxpayers and communities. Moving forward, conservation efforts should prioritize equitable access to the outdoors, tribal sovereignty, and functional ecosystems.

States can drive conservation benefits through a number of different approaches, including designating state conservation areas, allocating resources to invest in conservation, exploring options to conserve state trust lands for future generations, supporting voluntary private land conservation efforts, promoting and prioritizing ecological connectivity, and protecting aquatic habitat and waterways. These approaches are inherently interwoven; by pursuing multiple approaches in tandem, states can magnify their impact.

Western governors and legislatures now have the opportunity to set the stage for the next decade of conservation in the United States. By using all of the tools and approaches at their disposal to protect nature, public health, and outdoor recreation economies, Western states can propel us along the road to protecting 30% of America by 2030.

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