Environmental protection: 30x30 goals: land conservation: science-based management and stewardship.

Assembly Member Papan's environmental protection legislation directs the Natural Resources Agency to develop comprehensive strategies for science-based management of California's conserved lands, building upon the state's commitment to protect 30% of lands and coastal waters by 2030. The bill requires the agency to update its Pathways to 30x30 Report by July 2026 with detailed analyses of stewardship needs, successful case studies, and best practices for land management.

The updated report must include an accounting of critical stewardship requirements and associated costs, evaluations of biodiversity benefits, and assessments of ecological workforce needs. The agency must also examine cobenefits such as public access, wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, and climate regulation. The report will document innovative approaches to reduce barriers and increase federal, state, and local support for ongoing land management.

Under the legislation, funds from the 2024 Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act may be allocated for science-based management as part of land acquisition projects. The bill defines science-based management to include adaptive management techniques, traditional ecological knowledge, and established land management practices across various terrain types. All findings and recommendations from the updated report will be publicly accessible on the Natural Resources Agency's website.