California’s natural resources are world-renowned. The Legislative Analyst’s Office reports that our great state boasts over 1,340 miles of beaches and coastline, over 1,000 state and local parks, and 225 wildlife and ecological reserves covering nearly a million acres.

Land in California is a finite natural resource and literally provides the physical foundation for the state’s built and natural environment. Our land supports our homes, schools, industries, hospitals, public facilities, and communities. Our land also includes our farms, parks, open space, and wildlife habitats. We need to plan strategically, efficiently, and effectively so that land is used to build quality places and to preserve our important natural assets.