Last month, our 30X30 Working Group, in collaboration with partners like ActiveSGV and Amigos de los Rios, hosted a fun 16-mile community bike ride for all ages and skill levels.
30x30 is a global movement aimed at preserving 30% of lands and water by 2030, with the broader goal of protecting "half earth", or 50% of lands and water by 2050. 30x30's conservation efforts are necessary to address the growing impacts of the climate crisis, and preserve our water, air, and natural areas across the country.
The Sierra Club California 30x30 Task Force, led jointly by staff and volunteers from across the state, are working to:
- CREATE A STATEWIDE, GRASSROOTS NETWORK OF CONSERVATION CAMPAIGNS by engaging our vast and varied membership, networks, and expertise to develop collaborative, locally driven conservation visions and wins for each region in California that help achieve 30x30 goals.
- BUILD POLITICAL POWER FOR 30x30 by organizing our members and the public to influence the implementation of the state’s 30x30 Executive Order and build demand for our statewide network of grassroots conservation campaigns.
- BUILD A MORE INCLUSIVE AND JUST MOVEMENT FOR CONSERVATION by investing in 30x30 as a long-term opportunity to transform the conservation movement into being more just and equitable.
What better way to engage with our communities about the importance of conservation than with a beautiful holiday bike ride! To celebrate the season, participants were encouraged to wear their ugliest holiday sweaters, adding a fun and festive twist to the event! Participants had the choice to bring their own bikes or take advantage of the electric bikes (e-bikes) available for loan through ActiveSGV. Remarkably, more than forty people from across Los Angeles County joined us bright and early that weekend at the Jeff Seymour Family Center in South El Monte, California to participate in the bike ride. While some participants brought their own bikes, many opted to use the e-bikes provided by Active SGV.
After a concise safety briefing, the group set off to explore the city along the scenic Emerald Necklace, making stops at key points throughout the ride. For those unfamiliar with the Emerald Necklace, it is a network of green spaces and bike paths that weave through the city, offering cyclists and pedestrians alike a chance to reconnect with nature. As you may be aware, green spaces are often limited in urban areas like South El Monte, so this was a unique opportunity to explore and uncover the natural beauty that is sprinkled throughout this wonderful city. Though scarce, these green spaces are vital for many reasons, including providing habitat for wildlife such as birds. That’s why our incredible team of volunteers has been working to connect more community members to these spaces and raise awareness about their importance through outings such as this one.
At their first stop, the group had the chance to learn about local, state, and national efforts aimed at creating and preserving green spaces, with a particular focus on initiatives in their own backyard. A representative of Amigos de los Ríos shared the history and vision behind the “Emerald Necklace” park design, and highlighted the work of a dedicated team of volunteers working to turn that vision into reality. It was truly inspirational to witness these changes unfolding in real time. Next, participants were given binoculars and invited to join biologist and guest speaker, Natasha Khanna-Dang, for a bird walk of the area. In under ten minutes, the group had spotted and identified at least six different species of birds, including Canadian geese!
After the tour, the group mounted their bikes once again and pedaled for several miles, riding under bridges and weaving through street signs as they made their way to the Whittier Narrows Area and Nature Center where the group rested, had lunch, and participated in activities like wreath making. Before saying their goodbyes, the group made their way to the center for a final recap of the 30X30 initiative. There, our incredible outings leader, Jo Iraheta, highlighted opportunities for participants to lend their voice to the movement and get involved. Overall, it was an incredible experience and the perfect way to close out the year.
This year, Sierra Club’s 30X30 Working Group aims to foster more opportunities for communities across Los Angeles County to access nature while advancing 30X30. Stay turned for more updates!