The Nature Conservancy and The California Council of Land Trusts Celebrate the Passage of AB 900

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and The California Council of Land Trusts (CCLT) applaud Governor Newsom for signing AB 900, authored by Assemblymember Diane Papan (D-San Mateo), which will increase support for stewardship of conserved lands and continue to progress the State’s commitment of conserving 30% of our lands and coastal waters by 2030 (30x30). The bill received bipartisan support before reaching the governor’s desk for signature.

In its 2022 Pathways to 30x30 report, the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) acknowledged the critical role stewardship plays in reaching the 30x30 goal, stating that “regulatory rules, policies and processes should be improved so that ecological restoration and stewardship can occur more quickly, simply and cost-effectively.” However, many conserved areas lack funds necessary for stewardship, which can diminish the benefits of the conserved land. Stewardship needs for conserved lands, as well as the costs associated with them, will continue to grow due to the impacts of climate change on ecosystems as well as an increase in climate-related extreme weather events.

AB 900 will require the CNRA to develop strategies to reduce the barriers to and increase support for stewardship of conserved lands, including the creation of a specific section in its 2027 annual report focused on understanding stewardship needs, best practices, benefits and workforce needs, as well as highlighting new innovative stewardship practices and technologies.

“Conserving land is only the first step,” said Assemblymember Papan. “If we’re serious about climate resilience and biodiversity, we must actively steward these lands—ensuring they’re restored, maintained and safeguarded for generations to come.”

The bill also requires CNRA to make recommendations to increase ancestral land return and strengthen tribal consultation and partnerships, a key commitment of 30x30.

“The California land trusts are a key part of the State's 30x30 strategy. AB 900 provides critical support and attention to how these lands that are preserved in perpetuity will be stewarded and managed sustainably into the future,” said Caroline Godkin, executive director at CCLT. “On behalf of The California Council of Land Trusts and the California land trust community, I thank Assemblymember Papan for her conservation leadership in authoring this bill and the Governor for signing AB 900 into law. I look forward to partnering with the California Natural Resources Agency on delivering this critical update to the 30x30 strategy.”

“The Nature Conservancy is dedicated to conserving and protecting the lands vital to meeting California’s climate and biodiversity goals. While we’ve made significant progress toward 30x30, continued investment in stewardship activities—including clean-up from extreme weather events, invasive weed removal and wildfire resilience work—must be a priority,” said Michael Jarred, associate director at TNC. “We are grateful to Assemblymember Papan and Governor Newsom for championing this endeavor.”