Tuesday, March 2, 2021 | 2 a.m.
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In Nevada, nature is in crisis. Lake Mead water levels are dropping, summers are bringing longer and more intense heat waves, wildlife habitats and biodiversity are dwindling, and drought and desertification are encroaching.
From Red Rock Canyon to the Ruby Mountains to Lake Tahoe, conservation holds a special place in the heart of Nevadans, which is why I introduced a resolution in support of 30 by 30 in the Legislature. We can and must do more to help slow the loss of nature, address climate change and support indigenous conservation efforts.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris understand the severity of the climate crisis. By issuing bold, conservation-centered executive orders within the first days of their administration, they gave us reason to be optimistic for the future of conservation — a feeling quite devoid in the past four years. Among the rollout of their ambitious climate agenda was a national commitment to preserving 30% of U.S. lands and waters by the year 2030, also known as 30 by 30. The benchmark calls on us to strengthen our conservation efforts of all remaining areas to stem biodiversity loss and help fight the climate crisis. In January, I was proud to join 450 state and local elected officials across the nation to show support for establishing this ambitious goal.
Nevada is committed to doing our part to protect the places where our families live, work, and play. The Legislature and Gov. Steve Sisolak dedicated more than $200 million of bonding authority in 2019 to invest in parks, trails and open spaces. Sisolak established Nevada’s first-ever Division of Outdoor Recreation, recognizing the valuable role hiking, camping and conservation play in our communities and our economy. Meanwhile, our federal delegation continues to defend Nevada’s public lands in Washington, D.C., blocking efforts to revitalize the nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, protecting the Desert National Wildlife Refuge and voting to permanently fund public parks through the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
And Nevadans understand the threat of the climate crisis. In fact, Nevadans overwhelmingly support a broad number of climate policies and agree that leaders should take action to mitigate the crisis.
Nevada ranks among top contenders for biological diversity, holding national titles for total species diversity, a high number of unique species, and butterfly and mammal diversity. However, our state ranks third for the highest number of species at risk. Protecting public lands is one of the most effective approaches to safeguarding wildlife and ensuring resilient ecosystems.
Any effort to conserve land and water must respect indigenous communities and work alongside tribal nations, which are sovereign government entities, to support their vision for the stewardship of natural resources. The 30 by 30 resolution gives us the important opportunity to reshape the conservation agenda to be more inclusive of indigenous communities in general. This initiative is critical in protecting areas of cultural, spiritual, and historic significance, including the proposed Avi Kwa Ame National Monument (Spirit Mountain), which encompasses over 300,000 acres of rich history and natural splendor.
As a state home to millions of acres of public land, Nevada will be a key player through state and federal action in helping the nation achieve this ambitious goal and better position us as a leader in the fight against the climate crisis.
As legislators, we have a duty to meet this crisis with bold action. I’m proud to have introduced this resolution to protect 30% of the state’s land and water by 2030, and I look forward to working with federal leaders to make it a reality. Let’s take on this ambitious task and show the rest of the country that climate action isn’t just possible, it’s necessary.
Cecelia Gonzalez was elected to the Nevada Assembly in 2020. She serves District 16 in the central valley.
