California's Protected Urban Areas

This report by the California Institute of Public Affairs discusses how agencies and non-governmental organizations in California are protecting urban open space areas in the face of rapid growth and sprawl. Priorities for protecting land and natural resources include preservation of biodiversity, recreation, education and watershed protection. Examples of protected areas in the Los Angeles and San Francisco regions are given to demonstrate different effective approaches to land preservation. Almost all protected areas are managed for a range of benefits. Biodiversity is a primary goal, along with recreation, education, and in many places watershed protection. Economic benefits are varied and substantial. Management issues include administrative and physical fragmentation, invasive species, fire, and pollution. Agencies recognize a need to reach out to urban residents, but performance is mixed. A new "natural park" in a poor Los Angeles neighborhood is a striking innovation. California has much to learn from other countries, and much to share.

Thanks to California 2000 Project