Sustainable Conservation

California faces big challenges when it comes to our water supplies. Our limited and less reliable fresh water is being stretched to meet the needs of the environment and growing urban and farming demands, while our groundwater supplies are steadily declining. Sustainable Conservation advances promising practices, incentives and policies to help achieve long-term water sustainability in California. Our efforts mean reliable, affordable and clean water for irrigating the crops that feed the nation, healthy communities, and vibrant waterways that support diverse wildlife.

California boasts iconic plants and animals, some found nowhere else on the planet, but more than 350 of these species and their habitats are threatened because weve significantly altered the states landscapes. This includes the destruction of 90% of Californias riparian forests and ongoing pollution in a vast majority of waterways. The good news is that all Californians, from private landowners to conservation groups to public agencies, can do a lot to restore these damaged places. We make it easier to restore our vital natural resources in a changing climate by partnering with government, NGOs and other restoration proponents to develop regulatory and policy incentives that accelerate the pace and scale of habitat restoration statewide. Our efforts help revive degraded waterways to boost clean water and habitat, and bring struggling species back from the brink.

Healthy soils are the foundation of productive farmland and a critical tool for addressing Californias water challenges in the face of climate change. Were all connected by land, air, and water, and understanding how we can improve soil health will help us co-create a more sustainable California. In 2023, well address key opportunities in theSan Joaquin Valleyand theCentral Coast the states most productive agricultural regions with the greatest impacts to their water systems and watersheds. Regenerative soil health practices like cover cropping and high-carbon soil amendments can make a real difference in how our soils store water and nutrients, and even improve the quality and quantity of water thats returned to our aquifers and waterways.