Takeaways from the 6th Annual State of Biodiversity Symposium

05/16/23

Since 2018, the San Diego Natural History Museum has hosted the State of Biodiversity Symposium. This symposium brings together a melting pot of individuals who have a passion for biodiversity, including biologists, botanists, conservationists, land managers, scientist, students, professionals, and other folks who are interested in having a conversation about the importance of biodiversity within the region and beyond.

This year, the symposium hosted a diverse panel of professionals that take pride in their work in conservation, not only in San Diego, but across the border in Baja California. The concepts of bi-national conversations, project coordination, and community empowerment between people and wildlife were discussed by the panelists including Anna Becker from LA Zoo, Julio Lorda from Tijuana River National Estuary Research Reserve (TRNERR) Baja, Mariana Delgado Fernandez from California’s Baja Rare Project, and Ignacio Vilchis from San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Each panelist had a unique approach to the discussion, from creating community engagement in the conservation space, to taking local folks on native plant hikes, actively preserving ecosystems, and even describing cutting edge research to help protect coastal wildlife.

State of Biodiversity panelists

The event closed with a stimulating keynote presentation by Jennifer Norris, PhD, from California Natural Resources Agency, describing the outstanding efforts to the State’s 30x30 initiative and how every year, we get closer to achieving our biodiversity goals. The 30x30 initiative was designed in 2020 to preserve 30% of California land and Coastal waters by 2030. This initiative has made great progress, according to Dr. Norris.

County Efforts to Support Biodiversity

The County is also taking important steps towards supporting biodiversity through multiple initiatives, including the Multiple Species Conservation Program, Biodiversity Resolution, and through the creation of the San Diego County Native Landscape Program. The Native Landscape Program will provide guidance for the creation of native plant landscapes within developed environments buffering conservation areas, at County facilities, and throughout communities in the unincorporated area. A design manual will be created as part of the program to help guide community members through the process of designing, installing, and caring for native plant landscapes, and to provide education on the different habitat types and microclimates in the region as well as on the importance of biodiversity and conservation, among other program elements. As the most biodiverse region in the nation, the County places a high importance on preserving native habitats, plants, and wildlife. Native landscapes provide habitat for wildlife and can help preserve existing ecosystems and expand them into developed areas. The increased use of native plants in developed areas will reduce the use of pesticides and petroleum-based fertilizers, limit the spread of exotic pests, reduce storm water pollution and runoff, and help the region prepare for periods of drought and future projected climate changes.

If you are interested in learning more about the program, receiving updates, or are interested in seeing how you can participate, please sign up here.