In October 2020, California Gov. Newsom announced a plan to protect 30% of his state by 2030. In 2021, the Biden Administration announced its own 30x30 plan, later dubbed America the Beautiful. With 12% of the U.S. already under some form of protection, where will the other 18% come from? In states like Nebraska, nearly all the land is in private hands — and the owners are worried.

With increased focus on the climate crisis, it’s easy to think we have enough to worry about without considering species other than our own. But the natural world provides critical resources that counteract the damaging impacts of climate change and sustain all life — including human life. About one million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction. How much land does nature need to survive?

Guests:

Paula Ehrlich, CEO, E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation

Woody Lee, Executive Director, Utah Diné Bikéyah

Jennifer Norris, Deputy Secretary for Biodiversity and Habitat, California Natural Resources Agency

Catherine Semcer, Research Fellow, Property and Environment Research Center

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