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Natural and working lands, or NWLs — including forests and woodlands, grasslands and shrublands, croplands and rangelands, coastal and freshwater wetlands, and urban green spaces — have the power to sequester carbon and are a powerful force in the fight against climate change. As such, states and territories across our coalition are taking action to bolster the health and resilience of their natural and working lands.
The U.S. Climate Alliance convened state leaders during Climate Week NYC to lead a conversation about how governors are advancing next-generation policies on natural and working lands, leveraging historic federal funding to accelerate action, and building resilient communities and ecosystems.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham opened the discussion with keynote remarks showcasing New Mexico’s meaningful progress to protect its natural and working lands. This includes establishing the state’s $300 million “Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund” in 2023, New Mexico’s first dedicated funding source for conservation, agriculture, wildlife protection, and outdoor recreation programs. Governor Lujan Grisham also underlined how Alliance governors learn from each other to “supercharge” their state’s natural and working lands efforts.
Leaders from across the country — California Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph, Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain, Vermont Climate Action Office Director Jane Lazorchak, and North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Reid Wilson — also highlighted key actions their states have taken, from working directly with Tribes to manage lands and use traditional methods, to collaborating with other states and NGOs to achieve common goals. Panelists emphasized that current public sector investment in natural climate solutions is an important start but developing diverse sources of innovative financing mechanisms and private investment are critical to keep the momentum growing.
As investments and solutions expand, Alliance states and territories are working with and learning from one another to accelerate NWL action.
Panelists included:
The event took place at The Nature Hub hosted by the U.S. Nature4Climate coalition and was supported by the Doris Duke Foundation, The J.M. Kaplan Fund, and American Forests.
Learn more about Alliance action across the Natural & Working Lands sector.
This event was presented in partnership with:
