What’s the big deal about 30x30?

Did you know that the United States is losing a football field of natural lands every single minute?

In Arizona, it’s not that dramatic but we’re seeing the harmful impacts through increased drought and wildfires. That is not good for the growth of the outdoor recreation industry, one of the strongest industries in Arizona. Fortunately, there’s an idea on how to stop this trend: 30x30.

30x30 is a global and national goal to conserve 30% of our land and water by 2030.

Due to its global inertia, there’s a lot of misunderstanding around this topic by folks wanting to hinder its popularity (79% of Arizonans support this goal). In the United States, 30x30 is NOT a specific policy or mandate, but instead a goal that is informed by the needs of local communities. 

In fact, Arizona is already leading the way in public-private conservation projects with farms and ranches that count toward this incredible goal. In the U.S., there’s no one way for us to get to 30x30 – it’s all about how different communities want to participate.

Fortunately, we’re seeing a lot of outdoor recreation brands advocating for the goal, and the community-led vision of it, too:

It makes sense outdoor recreation voices would be loud on this issue. Our industry is on the frontlines of climate change and we have the most to lose if there are no more natural spaces for people to enjoy. Globally, if we met the 30x30 goal it would help increase the growth of the outdoor industry by 4-6% annually (read the report here).

The Biden Administration’s core principles for working toward the goal also align with the industry’s way of doing business: be collaborative and inclusive, pursue opportunities that create jobs and support sustainable local economies, use science as a guide, and let locals lead the process.

Whether you’re into the global vision of 30x30 or the hyperlocal, community-led actions that build toward it, 30x30 is an important guidepost for future conservation policies that will impact the outdoor industry for decades to come.

That’s why it’s important to stand up against efforts to strip power from local communities working to meet this important goal, like State Representative Griffin’s bill, H.C.R. 2024 (find your state legislators here and give them a call to ask them to vote no on this bill). 

In the coming year, we’ll be asking you if you want to help us lend more business voices toward supporting the goal of 30x30. It makes sense for Arizona, the outdoor industry here, and the sustainability of our local communities.

ARE YOU IN?

If you have any questions, email us at info@getoudoorsaz.org and let us know. We’ll be happy to help answer them!