New Jersey Becomes First Continental U.S. State to Reach Global Land Conservation Goal

TRENTON — Governor Phil Murphy announced on June 3 that New Jersey has formally joined the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, a global alliance committed to conserving 30% of land and water resources by 2030. New Jersey is now the first state in the continental United States to meet this internationally recognized benchmark, having preserved over 1.62 million acres of open space—more than 31% of its total land area.

The announcement builds on years of conservation work in New Jersey, which has emphasized environmental stewardship as a pillar of state policy. Since 2018, the state has directed substantial public investments toward protecting natural landscapes and restoring ecosystems that mitigate the effects of climate change, including carbon-sequestering wetlands.

"I am delighted to welcome New Jersey to the HAC for N&P Subnational Taskforce. The Garden State’s leadership on conservation and climate resilience aligns powerfully with our global mission to protect and conserve at least 30 percent of the planet’s land and ocean by 2030,” said Rita El Zaghloul, Director of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People Secretariat. “New Jersey’s commitment brings critical momentum as we have less than 5 years to reach our goal."

This year’s Green Acres funding marked a major milestone in those efforts. During Earth Week 2025, Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) unveiled a $131 million investment package for parks, recreation areas, and preservation projects in every county. Pending legislative approval of the fiscal year budget, the administration’s total Green Acres funding will reach $695 million—its largest commitment to date and the fourth largest in the program’s 64-year history.

The Green Acres program, created in 1961 to address New Jersey’s growing recreational and environmental needs, has protected more than 720,000 acres of land and helped develop hundreds of outdoor spaces across the state. This year’s funding will support 122 initiatives, including land acquisitions, park development, stewardship projects, and, for the first time, eight fully inclusive county-sponsored playgrounds aligned with Jake’s Law.

New Jersey’s admission into the High Ambition Coalition (HAC) comes after it officially joined in April 2025. The HAC, formed in 2021, includes over 120 national and subnational governments committed to the “30x30” goal—protecting 30% of Earth’s terrestrial and aquatic areas by 2030. This target, known as Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at the 2022 UN COP15 conference, is a central strategy to reverse biodiversity loss and restore ecosystems.

Currently, according to the Protected Planet Report 2024, only 17.6% of land and inland waters and 8.4% of oceans are formally protected worldwide. By surpassing the 30% threshold, New Jersey joins subnational members such as California, Quebec, Catalonia, and Scotland in helping to advance global conservation goals at the local level.

“Subnational governments and their partners play a leading role in the implementation of the Kunming-Montréal Global Framework,” said Benoit Charette, Quebec Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife, and Parks. “Québec, alongside California, is proud to have launched the subnational working group of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, which aims to have 30% of continental and marine environments conserved by 2030. Our government welcomes the efforts made by this working group to strengthen the abilities of subnational governments and promote the sharing of expertise regarding this target. Moreover, Québec is pleased that New Jersey has now confirmed that it is joining this group, which is working towards the conservation of global biodiversity.”

“Taking better care of nature enables a safe, prosperous future for us all,” said California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot. “Our natural systems provide us clean water and air, buffer climate change impacts, and help all forms of life to thrive. Many states and cities around the world recognize this need and are leading a global effort to conserve 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030. Several leading governments have formed a special task force of the High Ambition Coalition to collaborate, share knowledge, and drive solutions to achieve this 30x30 target.”

As part of its new membership, New Jersey has agreed to ongoing independent monitoring and international cooperation through the HAC Subnational Taskforce, which coordinates 30x30 efforts among non-national governments.

Governor Murphy framed the announcement as both a reflection of New Jersey’s conservation legacy and a blueprint for future environmental policy.

“Our investments in New Jersey’s natural land improve the quality of life for neighborhoods and families and the long-term health of our state,” said Governor Murphy. “New Jersey has been committed to ensuring every community has access to quality parks, recreation facilities, and opportunities through the Green Acres Program. By joining the High Ambition Coalition, we further this commitment to a global vision of a more sustainable future.”

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