California Institute for Biodiversity

COMPLETING THE CALIFORNIA ATBI (ALL TAXA BIODIVERSITY INVENTORY). CIBs Intertidal Biodiversity working group scoped an ambitious plan to secure a specimen of every species, develop a DNA barcode library, and complete other urgently-needed work. CIB helped see the $9.5M project included in the 2023 state budget and signed by Governor Newsom, to be managed by CoastalQuest. CIB made scores of grants to scientists at California Academy of Sciences, The Nat, CSU East Bay, UCB, UCD, UCR, UCSD, and many others are driving a hiring spree across California. This advances inclusion and equity in STEM careers by providing exciting and well-paid positions in field work, lab work, and other activities. Outcomes include FUNDIS vouchered more than 5,200 collections of macrofungi (mushrooms) from across California; most were DNA sequenced yielding vouchers of well over 1,000 species. Thousands of soil samples collected for environmental DNA sequencing by CALeDNA, for prioritizing field expeditions to secure specimens of all soil biodiversity, as well as beginning of a comprehensive map of California biodiversity. Hundreds of field collections made for Insecta Barcode, plus thousands of museum specimens sampled, toward goal of sequencing DNA of 1,000,000 insect specimens. Biorepositories and Orphan Collections grants to scores of nonprofits and universities are supporting teams to rescue collections, accession specimen backlogs, and upgrade collection infrastructure and reboot scientific collections for the 21st century. SAVING PLACES.Achieving 30 by 30: CIB supported coalition efforts to codify 30x30 goals into state practices, as well as secure stable and adequate funding for land conservation. These coalitions secured $1.6B, successfully defending those funds against proposed budget cuts. This funding is essential to support local groups in saving the next 6M acres by 2030. CIB served in leadership for the states California Biodiversity Network, working to build a network that is broadly inclusive of the California population and represents needs and perspectives of scientists in state investments. CIB worked with partners to identify achievable changes to conservation acquisition system that could improve efficacy of private funding, make public funding more efficient, engage sellers and donors more effectively, support tribes in Landback efforts, and accelerate the pace of habitat conservation in California. Local conservation efforts focused on properties for sale in the floodplain of a critical riparian system in Southern California. The properties are adjacent to National Forest land, provide movement connectivity for mountain lions, and are central to several California tribes and bands. Our team of land conservation specialists is meeting bimonthly to acquire these parcels for durable protection. DECOLONIZING LANDSCAPES:CIB advanced Pocket Forests solutions, to nurture recovery of local biodiversity and bring the benefits of nature to underinvested communities. CIB sponsored legislation establishing a statewide Pocket Forest program within CalFire to make grants to schools and communities in disadvantaged communities; our coalition of environment and environmental justice champions secured passage by the legislature but it was unfortunately vetoed by Governor Newsom. Working with local science teachers, CIB helped City of Berkeley develop a Miyawaki Forest project; the project received $150K to deliver four forests to underinvested communities. The Local Native Seedbank project convened NGOs, industry, agencies, scientists and other stakeholders to develop guidelines, build shared systems, secure funding, and ensure California has preserved seeds for the indigenous plants required to reestablish habitat, pollinators, and biodiversity. CIB was asked to help Save the Superbloom, by a coalition of NGOs concerned about how wildflower Superbloom sites are impacted by record numbers of visitors. CIB helped scope a project that integrates multilingual signage and interpretive material, investments in infrastructure such as public access trails and boardwalks, and curricula and educational materials for serving students and community members who otherwise would be excluded. Proponents now seek funding for expanding public access to Superblooms while reducing the harm of being loved too much. With coalition of EJ, pesticide, farming, and conservation groups CIB helped advocate for solutions to pesticide over- and mis-use. This includes establishing an Environmental Justice Advisory Committee for the Department of Pesticide Regulation, and reforming loopholes that allow agricorps to push unregistered and unlawful pesticides via coated seeds. Thanks to coalitions efforts the Governor and legislature are updating pesticide mill fee to invest in Californias transition to sustainable agriculture. EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT. CIB Worked with California mycological societies to officially designate a California State Mushroom. 11 local mycology clubs selected 6 candidate species, and thousands of Californians voted. CIB sponsored legislation, passed by the legislature and signed into law by the Governor. Biodiversity Curricula including CalAlive! K-12 curricula developed by CIB were donated to educators and nature centers in California, to support their important work educating the next generation. CIB awarded numerous student research grants to support students across California in their work to develop a statewide ATBI (All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory) of California life. Their projects are inspiring, their stories from the field delightful.