Join the Government Publications and Information Services Sections for a live webinar on February 6, 2025, at 7:00 pm! 

Join us for the first Conservation Lecture Series event of 2025, brought to you by the California State Library and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Learn about California’s extraordinary biodiversity. With the highest number of species found in any state (including over 30% of all plant and vertebrate species found in the U.S.), California is one of 36 global biodiversity hotspots. Tragically, the state’s biodiversity is also threatened by human encroachment, climate change, invasive species, and pollution.  In this lecture, we’ll discuss California’s imperiled biodiversity and what is being done to help conserve it. Included topics will be the Atlas of the Biodiversity of California, a book published by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife that includes a collection of maps, stunning photographs, and artistic illustrations — all depicting the state's rich diversity of plant and animal species.  We will also discuss the state’s 30x30 initiative to conserve 30% of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030.  The 30x30 initiative will help meet three overarching objectives: conserve and restore the state’s biodiversity, expand access to nature, and mitigate and build resilience to climate change.

Program Speakers

Ryan Hill, Research Data Specialist (California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). 

Meghan Hertel, Deputy Secretary, Biodiversity & Habitat (California Natural Resources Agency).