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Fay Creek flows downstream to the adjacent Canebrake Ecological Preserve in Kern County. Photo courtesy Western Rivers Conservancy
Wildlife Conservation Board Releases 2023 Year in Review
WCB Celebrates Over 100,000 Acres of Conservation, Delivering on California’s 30x30 Goal and Commitment to Outdoor Equity
The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) today released its 2023 Year in Review, highlighting their conservation and restoration efforts throughout California. WCB contributed to 127 projects for the 2023 calendar year, allocating approximately $496 million in funding.
“The WCB had a remarkable 2023, delivering strong on our commitment to protect 30 percent of California by 2030 (30x30),” said Wade Crowfoot, California Natural Resources Secretary. “I am especially pleased to see increased partnership with tribes and community organizations to protect biodiversity and expand access to nature across the state.”
WCB’s Year in Review highlights progress across eight strategic initiatives designed to address biodiversity, climate change and increase access to nature.
“On behalf of the Wildlife Conservation Board, I am pleased to share the 2023 Year-In-Review and the numbers that exemplify the impactful and critical projects and partnerships that protect lands, restore habitats and advance outdoor equity,” said Alina Bokde, WCB Chair and Public Board Member. “2023 was marked by incredible progress, but there is more work to do as we advance to the next chapter of WCB!”
‘Building on Our Legacy, Charting a New Future’ is the theme of this year’s report. This legacy was cemented under the leadership of John Donnelly, who retired in early 2023 after 17 years as Executive Director. Under John’s leadership, WCB protected hundreds of thousands of acres of habitat.
Jennifer Norris was named Executive Director in November, arriving from the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) where she served as Deputy Secretary for Biodiversity and Habitat since 2020. At CNRA, Norris led California’s 30x30 initiative to conserve 30 percent of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030 and oversaw the Cutting Green Tape initiative to accelerate the pace and scale of ecological restoration. Under Norris’ leadership, WCB continued to protect wildlife areas, working with partners to plan and implement projects that restore ecosystems, reconnect important habitat areas and create opportunities for outdoor education.
“WCB made real progress in 2023, protecting and restoring nearly 100,000 acres, building new relationships with tribes and supporting many new community-based organizations in their efforts to protect biodiversity and reconnect people and nature,” said Norris. “Accelerating biodiversity loss, climate-driven weather disasters and the state’s budget challenges will demand our ongoing creativity and collaboration. But I know that, collectively, we will do amazing things! This report highlights a fraction of our accomplishments. I can’t wait to see what 2024 brings and the incredible conservation we can deliver together.”
For more information about the WCB, please visit wcb.ca.gov.
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