Access to California’s nature should not be the exclusive benefit of a privileged few

I came to this country nearly 30 years ago, around the time California voters approved Proposition 187, which punished undocumented immigrants by denying us access to services such as health care and education. As a curious 10-year-old, I wanted to explore new places and meet new people, but our immigration status limited how much time we spent outside our apartment because we were scared of la migra and terrified of anything that drew attention to us.

Even when we ventured out, we had little to no access to parks or open spaces living only a block from Interstate 5. The only thing separating our living room from the flow of cars and trucks was a 10-foot sound barrier. Our only accessible green spaces were more than a mile away.

As I look at California today, I think we should celebrate the progress we’ve made. Still, we can do so much more to ensure that working-class and immigrant families enjoy nature.

During the pandemic, it’s become clear that access to nature is an absolute necessity for all Californians. That’s why the so-called “30x30” push — to protect 30% of California’s natural lands and waters by 2030, part of a similar effort globally — cannot solely be about confronting the wildlife extinction crisis. The 30x30 initiative is key to California’s ability to address unequal access to nature.

The initiative can also help the state meet pollution reduction goals to stem climate change, which continues to disproportionately harm people of color and working-class communities.

Extreme heat is one way climate change is already looming large in California, and recent UC Davis research showed the state’s cities outpace the rest of the Southwest in daily temperature discrepancies between the richest and poorest neighborhoods. This should not be a surprise to anyone, as low-income neighborhoods often lack street trees that provide shade on hot days.

People of color are also more likely to live in the most polluted parts of California, leading to other disproportionate health problems.

Inequitable access to nature is the result of an enduring legacy of ignoring — and often intentionally marginalizing — communities through policies like redlining.

We need to confront this crisis in a way that guarantees these Californians better access to the natural areas that make our state unique.

Creating new parks and conserving special places in California will also introduce jobs and workforce development opportunities for those who most need them.

We must set clear goals that protect our land and water and create new open space in urban neighborhoods. When we talk about protecting California’s rich biodiversity, humans need to be a part of the picture, too.

Access to nature should not be the exclusive benefit of a privileged few. The state has done a decent job of ensuring communities of color are prioritized in budget discussions. Now we must keep the focus on these communities as we implement 30x30 and advance climate action.

The essential workers California has relied on during the pandemic must enjoy equal opportunities to be outside, whether in local parks close to home or at their nearest state park.

As California so often serves as a model on the world stage, the 30x30 initiative should take us a step closer to achieving our highest ideals.