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Is Our Survival Rooted in Our Soil? This Nonprofit Thinks "Yes".

·49 min·4 clips

California is one of 36 global biodiversity hotspots where protecting plants matters for the entire world.

This episode features host Jeff in conversation with Dr. June Bando, Executive Director of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS). Dr. Bando brings experience from the U.S. Department of State and Defense to her role leading this conservation nonprofit. The discussion centers on California's status as one of 36 global biodiversity hotspots, home to 6,500 native plant types. CNPS was founded in 1965 by activists who successfully protected a native plant garden in Berkeley's Tilden Regional Park. The organization now runs two major campaigns: "Saving What Matters Most" for habitat conservation and an urban biodiversity campaign to transform built environments. A key policy focus is California's "30 by 30" goal, a state law aiming to protect 30% of lands and coastal waters by 2030. California currently has about 26% of lands and 21% of coastal waters under protection. The state's approach is noted for its robust definition of conservation and for centering tribal leadership and partnerships. Dr. Bando cites the recent establishment of the Chuckwalla and Sátilay Highlands National Monuments as successes from broad coalitions. These coalitions included veterans groups, small business owners, hunters, and anglers alongside conservation organizations. CNPS employs about 62 people and operates on a $10 million budget, with half currently from state and federal contracts for projects like vegetation mapping. An interesting insight is that terms like "biodiversity" can sometimes trigger public disengagement rather than action. The conversation frames native plants as critical infrastructure, where losing one species can cascade through an ecosystem. The organization's CalScape website is a tool to help Californians identify plants native to their area and find where to buy them. A surprising claim is that California's economy and progress make it a global leader in implementing 30 by 30, with other governments watching its model. Dr. Bando expresses that 30 by 30 serves as a "vehicle for hope" against large-scale environmental crises. A memorable point is that individual actions, like planting a native plant in a pot to support pollinators, are presented as meaningful contributions. The tone is conversational and educational, blending high-level policy discussion with practical gardening advice. The style is interview-based, with the host prompting detailed explanations about the nonprofit's science, advocacy, and community work. Listeners interested in state environmental policy, grassroots activism, or California-specific ecology would find this episode valuable. Those seeking a highly critical debate on conservation or a narrative-driven story might choose to skip it.

As heard by us

A nonprofit conversation that treats native plants as part of the systems that keep California livable.

At its core, the conversation treats native plants as more than a niche concern. It frames them as part of the systems that keep California livable, and it does so with a steady focus on community impact and nonprofit purpose.

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Why you'd press play

Hear how native plant conservation is framed as a community responsibility, with California's 6,500 native plant types and the web of life they support at the center.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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