Process

The 30 by 30 Committee is an advisory group responsible for providing advice and recommendations to the Governor on issues raised in the 30 by 30 Executive Order (E.O.) and the Federal Government’s America the Beautiful Initiative. The Committee will meet quarterly and discuss:  

• Coordination between agencies and programs, 

• Progress toward goals, 
• Use of best available science, 
• A commitment to equity,  
• Robust stakeholder engagement,  
• Timely recommendations on state and federal polices, and  

• Ensuring the State’s efforts are accurately reflected in the “American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas.”  

The 30 by 30 Committee does not review or approve individual projects or program operations. Those remain the responsibility of existing agencies under existing authorities and approval processes. 

The Committee is staffed by the Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Department (EMNRD). As necessary and with the staff support from other departments, EMNRD will host meetings, prepare agendas, and coordinate other activities in support of the Committee’s responsibilities.  

The Commissioner of State Lands is an invited member of the Committee and as an elected official may take independent action to achieve 30 by 30 goals consistent with the State Land Office’s governing statutes. 

Foundational Principles 

The following principles guide the Committee’s work:  

• Respect for tribal sovereignty and self-determination. The Committee acknowledges the sovereign authority of tribal nations and will work in partnership with tribes to honor Indigenous perspectives on equitable land stewardship. The Committee is committed to working with New Mexico’s tribes, nations, and pueblos to determine priorities for conservation designations with the support and guidance of tribal leadership. 
• Respect for private property rights. The Committee is charged with using existing programs and authorities to carry out the goals of the E.O., none of which grant powers of eminent domain or the involuntary taking of property. All conservation activity on private land will continue to occur on a strictly voluntary basis through willing landowners. The Committee’s focus will be on developing incentives that expand land management options available to landowners and ensuring the good work they do is recognized.   
• Maintaining adaptability in a changing climate. The best science tells us that active land management plays an essential role in mitigating and adapting to climate-related risks like drought and wildfire.
• A role for natural working lands. Active management of farms, ranches, and forests promotes several of the conservation values specified in the E.O. Therefore, the contribution of these lands must be accounted for when defining what conservation means in New Mexico.