The New Eras, New Leaders: 5 Years to 30×30 Conference was held from October 1-3, 2024, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Representing the Virgin Islands’ Division of Territorial Parks and Protected Areas, Patricia Valentin, a NOAA Coastal Fellow, and Chantelle Quiñones, Special Projects Coordinator, joined this important gathering. Spearheaded by the America the Beautiful Coalition, the conference focused on two main goals: conserving at least 30% of U.S. lands, waters, and oceans by 2030 and applying a Justice40 metric to ensure at least 40% of conservation investments benefit communities of color and frontline areas that have historically lacked access to nature and conservation resources.
The conference began with a powerful tribute led by members of Puerto Rico’s Taíno community, who conducted an areíto ceremony that mesmerized attendees. “The ceremony featured the rhythmic sounds of traditional instruments, culminating in a symbolic gesture of commitment to environmental stewardship,”. NOAA Fellow Patricia Valentin felt inspired by the sense of unity and purpose that permeated the event. As a Puerto Rican, Patricia was deeply moved, feeling honored to experience the ancestral blessings shared by traditional cultural preservers who expressed gratitude and encouragement for everyone’s dedication to protecting nature. This ceremony set a reflective, supportive, and powerful tone for the days to come.
Each day of the conference featured panels and keynotes from experts across the U.S. and its territories, who shared their initiatives and contributions toward the coalition’s long-term goals. Patricia found it refreshing to hear success stories, especially during sessions on challenges faced by U.S. territories like the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
Special Projects Coordinator Chantelle Quiñones was captivated by a breakout session titled “Equity-Centric Biodiversity Conservation Planning.” The initial speaker brought positive energy to the discussion of strategically designed cities as connectors for biodiversity. Other panelists emphasized inclusive access to green spaces and prioritizing their restoration. A key takeaway was the importance of people-powered science: without community advocates and collaborative research, issues like inclusivity, diversity, and data gaps will persist.
As a young social scientist and advocate for environmental justice, Patricia noted the challenges of working in conservation. “This work comes with defeat, struggle, lobbying, loneliness, and exhaustion,” she shared, “but it was an honor to be surrounded by professionals who not only believe in the same principles but have pioneered these values in successful programs that promote inclusion, diversity, equality, respect, and representation.”
Attendees also had the opportunity to explore Puerto Rico’s natural beauty. Some chose excursions like a tour of El Yunque National Forest, a historical walking tour of San Juan, or mangrove exploration and tarpon tagging. Both Patricia and Chantelle visited El Yunque, stopping at sites like the Yokahú Tower, offering panoramic views, and Baño Grande, a historic manmade pool nestled in the lush La Mina watershed.
Chantelle was also selected for a shark-tagging excursion with Raimundo Espinoza, founder of Conservación ConCiencia, a nonprofit that collaborates with local fishermen to monitor shark populations. After patiently waiting for hours, the group witnessed a juvenile hammerhead shark being caught, tagged, and released. This experience highlighted the dedication required to protect the shark population and ensure the species’ sustainability in local waters.
The diverse speakers, attendees, excursions, and rich discussions over the three days illustrated how the America the Beautiful Coalition successfully convened organizations from distinct backgrounds to advance the global fight for conservation. For information on future events, coalition meetings, and other updates, visit americathebeautifulforall.org.
