Recent science on the global status and trends of biodiversity loss have made the crisis abundantly clear and transformative action a necessity. Calls to address the crisis by conserving at least 30% of Earth by 2030, known as 30x30 have gained support from government and conservation leaders at global, national, and state levels. While the specifics of carrying out such a plan have yet to be established, efforts would hypothetically conserve areas needed to sustain essential ecological services and reverse extinction trends. Translating these commitments into national policy may prove challenging since the protected areas network is incongruous with locations that could effectively maximize biodiversity conservation based on current distributions. Additionally, areas that may be essential to ensuring greater opportunity for species persistence well into the future are underrepresented by the U.S. protected areas network and emerging conservation policy objectives. However, there is ample opportunity for establishing ecologically meaningful and future-minded conservation under 30x30.
As the VP of the Center for Conservation Innovation at Defenders, Lindsay leads the Center for Conservation Innovation’s science, technology, and policy teams as we work together to pioneer innovative, pragmatic conservation solutions.