California and Massachusetts announce intention to join IUCN at World Conservation Congress

By stepping forward, California and Massachusetts demonstrate how local leadership drives global impact, bridging policy, innovation, and community engagement to safeguard nature for generations to come.

In a video announcing California’s intention to join the Union, Governor Gavin Newsom said: "It is an honour for California to join this network, standing alongside more than 1,400 members of the world’s largest and most diverse environmental community. We are doubling down on our commitment to this planet and its people, driving innovation through our environmental work."

Subnational actors (which includes cities, States, regional governments) are a growing force within IUCN. Numbers have been growing since the 2021 World Conservation Congress, when Resolution 138 created a membership category for subnational governments, formally recognising their indispensable role in advancing the Union’s mission. Subnational governments lead the way in protecting nature, translating global commitments into concrete actions, managing landscapes and ecosystems, and ensuring that conservation strategies reflect local realities.

The network of subnational members has now grown to 32 regions and states worldwide. States and regions seek IUCN membership to share knowledge, access technical expertise, and participate in shaping global conservation strategies, while also showcasing their own achievements in protecting biodiversity.

All IUCN membership applications undergo a rigorous evaluation process to ensure alignment with IUCN’s mission to value, conserve, and restore nature, guaranteeing that new members are committed to meaningful, tangible conservation action.