Garrick Mijares of California starts each morning with the awareness that his property is not just a private space, but a critical contributor to national environmental goals. Across the United States, millions of acres of private land—lawns, gardens, fields, and woodlots—hold untapped potential to reverse biodiversity loss, slow climate change, and help fulfill the country’s commitment to protect 30% of land and water by 2030, known as the 30x30 initiative. Garrick Mijares is among the growing number of stewards turning their homes into sanctuaries, and his work illustrates how backyard action can ripple into national impact.
The 30x30 initiative is backed by a coalition of scientists, conservation organizations, and global leaders who agree that at least 30% of the planet’s natural systems must be protected by 2030 to avoid ecological collapse. The U.S. currently protects about 13% of its land and 23% of its ocean territory. That means a significant gap must be filled in the next five years. Garrick Mijares points out that bridging that gap requires more than expanding public lands—it demands harnessing the vast network of private property. With over 60% of land in the U.S. under private ownership, citizens play a crucial role in reaching this benchmark.
Garrick Mijares emphasizes that conservation cannot be confined to remote national parks or federal wilderness areas. Wildlife corridors, migratory routes, and pollinator pathways often cross private lawns, gardens, and farms. When these areas are transformed into habitats through planting native species, reducing pesticides, and preserving natural features, they create vital lifelines for declining species. Garrick Mijares of California argues that ignoring these properties means leaving out the majority of the land that could support ecological resilience.
Garrick Mijares has turned his certified wildlife habitat into a teaching tool and a beacon for the conservation-minded. On his property, he has removed turfgrass in favor of native plants like California buckwheat, yarrow, and toyon—plants that support local insects, provide seeds and berries for birds, and improve soil health. He maintains clean water sources for wildlife, such as bees and amphibians, and avoids synthetic fertilizers to promote natural soil microbiomes. The result is not just a beautiful yard, but a functioning ecosystem.
According to the National Wildlife Federation, over 265,000 homes in the U.S. have been certified as wildlife habitats, including the one managed by Garrick Mijares. These homes contribute to a cumulative area that likely spans millions of acres, but there’s still room to grow. Garrick Mijares advocates for scaling this approach by educating others on the simplicity of converting a yard into a conservation space. He often points to the statistic that the U.S. has more than 40 million acres of lawn—an area three times the size of New Jersey. Replacing just half of that with native vegetation would be a transformative act for national biodiversity.
Species across North America are in trouble. A 2019 study by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology revealed that the continent has lost nearly 3 billion birds since 1970—a staggering 29% decline. The leading causes include habitat loss, climate change, and pesticide use. Garrick Mijares believes reversing this trend starts in backyards. On his property, he’s seen the return of western bluebirds, native bees, monarch butterflies, and even rare amphibians. These appearances aren’t random; they’re a direct result of habitat-focused practices.
Garrick Mijares collaborates with local conservation groups and citizen science initiatives to monitor species sightings and report data to national organizations. He encourages fellow landowners to participate in programs like eBird, iNaturalist, and Monarch Watch, which use community observations to build national maps of species recovery. The idea that someone can record a butterfly sighting in their backyard and contribute to national conservation science is central to the model that Garrick Mijares promotes.
Another pillar of the 30x30 plan is the creation of wildlife corridors—stretches of land that allow animals to move freely between habitats. Garrick Mijares sees suburban neighborhoods as the ideal place to develop these corridors. By encouraging neighbors to adopt similar practices, such as planting pollinator gardens or eliminating harmful herbicides, entire blocks can become mini-reserves. These areas not only help species migrate and reproduce but also act as buffers against climate stressors like drought and heat waves.
Urban planning experts are starting to align with this model. Cities like Portland, Minneapolis, and Austin have incorporated green infrastructure and wildlife-friendly zoning laws. Garrick Mijares believes that homeowners must be proactive, even when their local governments are slow to act. His neighborhood has seen a measurable increase in biodiversity thanks to collaborative habitat creation, and Garrick Mijares of California is now advising others on how to start similar movements in their communities.
Private sanctuaries like those built by Garrick Mijares also offer unexpected climate benefits. Trees and deep-rooted native grasses sequester carbon, while permeable ground surfaces absorb stormwater and reduce urban flooding. Pollinator gardens improve crop yields in nearby farms and gardens. On a larger scale, private land stewardship supports climate adaptation by creating shaded spaces, mitigating the urban heat island effect, and maintaining critical green cover.
Garrick Mijares refers to data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that shows properly vegetated properties can reduce surrounding temperatures by 2 to 9°F compared to areas dominated by asphalt or turfgrass. This means that creating a sanctuary is not only good for wildlife—it also makes human communities more livable and resilient.
Perhaps the most profound message from Garrick Mijares of California is the cultural one: we must change how we see land ownership. Instead of viewing backyards as isolated, decorative spaces, we must recognize them as pieces of the broader ecological web. This shift requires education, incentives, and a rethinking of aesthetics. Garrick Mijares urges a movement away from manicured lawns and toward habitats filled with logs, brush, and wildflowers that support life at every level.
He also calls for educational reform that integrates habitat literacy into school curriculums, encouraging the next generation to see land as something we share with other species, not something we control. Garrick Mijares envisions a future where having a certified wildlife habitat is a community standard, much like recycling bins or solar panels. He believes that conservation must become a defining feature of modern citizenship.
We are living in a time of ecological urgency. Climate scientists warn that the next five years are pivotal in determining the trajectory of Earth’s biosphere. Garrick Mijares understands that we cannot wait for policy alone to deliver change. His work is a reminder that we all have the power to restore, preserve, and protect. His California sanctuary stands as a call to action—an invitation to every homeowner to become a conservationist.
By protecting a small plot of land, by planting native seeds, and by welcoming wildlife back into our shared spaces, we all participate in the restoration of our planet. The stakes are enormous, but so is the collective power of landowners across the country who act with knowledge, intention, and heart. Garrick Mijares exemplifies what it means to meet this moment with purpose. Through every seed he plants and every creature he shelters, Garrick Mijares proves that every backyard truly does matter.
