Pub. Resources Code, § 71453

(a) The Natural Resources Agency shall develop strategies to reduce barriers and increase support for stewardship of conserved lands in order to further the findings from the Pathways to 30x30 Report, which provided that designating an area as conserved is only the beginning of effective conservation and that protected areas require ongoing stewardship and monitoring.

(b) The Natural Resources Agency shall collaborate with stakeholders, California Native American tribes, and relevant state agencies to prepare a section on stewardship as part of the 2027 annual report required pursuant to Section 71452 that shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following information:

(1) An estimate of backlogged, critical, recurring, and future stewardship needs throughout the state with associated costs. The Natural Resources Agency may use datasets, that are in existence on or before March 31, 2027, from federal, state, and local governments, California Native American tribes, private entities, and tribal landowners and managers to complete this estimate.

(2) Case studies of effective stewardship.

(3) A review of stewardship best practices for conserved lands that includes, but is not limited to, new technology and innovative practices that improve outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

(4) A valuation of the benefits of stewardship on biodiversity and ecosystem services.

(5) Identification of the ecological workforce needs for stewardship and opportunities to support workforce training.

(6) A review of the cobenefits of stewardship that includes, but is not limited to, recreation and public access, the provision of habitat and resources for wildlife, carbon sequestration, water and air purification, and climate regulation.

(7) Recommendations to increase and improve stewardship of 30x30 lands, including innovative ways to reduce barriers and increase federal, state, and local support for stewardship.

(8) Recommendations to increase ancestral land return.

(9) Recommendations to increase consultation and partnership with California Native American tribes and tribal cultural practitioners throughout the state, including, but not limited to, support for tribal stewardship activities, traditional ecological knowledge, and cultural practices.

(c) The update required pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be posted on the Natural Resources Agency’s internet website.

(d) For purposes of this section, “stewardship” includes, but is not limited to, science-based management, adaptive management, traditional ecological knowledge, and best land management practices across all land types.