TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy announced that New Jersey has joined the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, a group of member states, territories, and countries committed to conserving 30% of their land by 2030. As a leader in land and water conservation, New Jersey has already protected more than 1.6 million acres of open space — more than 30% of the state’s total land.
“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.”
Over the last seven years, the Murphy Administration has prioritized investments in preserving land and restoring and enhancing natural resources, such as wetlands that sequester carbon in the fight against climate change. The total acreage of protected open space across New Jersey now exceeds 1.62 million acres, about 31%.
Most recently, Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection announced more than $131 million in Green Acres investments during Earth Week 2025 for parks, recreation, and open space preservation projects in every county across New Jersey. Upon approval of the current budget proposal, the Murphy Administration will have made a total of $695 million in Green Acres investments. This year’s funding is the largest Green Acres package of the Murphy Administration and the fourth largest in Green Acres Program history.
Building on this progress, New Jersey joined the High Ambition Coalition (HAC) for Nature and People in April 2025. Established in 2021, HAC is an intergovernmental group of 120 countries, including the United States since 2022, who have voluntarily committed to the 30×30 goal. To realize this global vision, an HAC Subnational Taskforce was created in 2022 with the same commitment.
Through conservation and preservation projects, New Jersey is the first state in the continental U.S. to meet the 30×30 goal. Membership in the High Ambition Coalition continues this legacy. New Jersey joined other subnational members including California, Quebec, Sao Paulo, Campeche, Wales, Scotland, Catalonia, Ile-de-France, and Massachusetts.
“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. We are excited to work alongside New Jersey and all our members of the subnational taskforce to deliver a healthier and more sustainable future for generations to come.”
“As co-chair and Ocean Champion of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, the UK is thrilled to see New Jersey joining the Subnational Taskforce. Our respect for wildlife, commitment to clean water, clean air, and the conservation of 30 percent of the world’s lands and waters by 2030 are all qualities we share proudly with the Garden State. We look forward to continuing to work with our close partners and fellow stewards of nature to ensure future generations can still enjoy the natural spaces we hold so dear today,” said Oliver Christian, His Majesty’s Consul General to New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
In December 2022, collaboration at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference, COP15, resulted in 190 countries adopting the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to address biodiversity loss, restore ecosystems, and the protection of indigenous rights. The framework includes 23 targets aimed at reversing habitat and species loss. Target 3, better known as 30×30, specifically calls for the effective protection and management of 30 percent of the world’s terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine areas by the year 2030.
“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 taskforce of the High Ambition Coalition to collaborate, share knowledge, and drive solutions to achieve this 30×30 target. We are excited to welcome New Jersey to this global team and look forward to working together on these important shared goals.”
The Protected Planet Report 2024 provided the first official review of global progress towards the world’s commitment to safeguarding the world’s biodiversity through protected and conserved areas. Currently, 17.6% of land and inland waters and 8.4% of the ocean and coastal areas globally are within documented protected and conserved areas.
In New Jersey, the Green Acres program was created in 1961 to meet the State’s growing recreation and conservation needs. Together with public and private partners, Green Acres has protected over 720,000 acres of open space and provided hundreds of outdoor recreational facilities in communities around the State.
“The Murphy Administration’s commitment to expanding and protecting green spaces for all is why our state is a national leader in land conservation, a benefit that will pay dividends for future generations,” said Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “New Jersey has already achieved the 30×30 goal, but our work is not done. Every community deserves places to gather, play and experience nature. The DEP looks forward to partnering with the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People to ensure that mission continues.”
This year’s recommended Green Acres projects will establish, expand, or revitalize new and existing parks; acquire land; create open space; improve public and waterfront access; develop athletic fields and playgrounds; and enhance land stewardship. This includes 42 acquisition projects, 60 park development projects, 12 stewardship projects, and for the first time, 8 county-sponsored, completely inclusive playgrounds that comply with “Jake’s Law.”
