Every time California comes to mind, so do its iconic landscapes: the towering redwoods along the coast, and the awe-inspiring glacial valleys carved deep into the Sierra Nevada. Redwood and Yosemite national parks, which boast many of these breathtaking scenes, are the only two places in the state designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
On Tuesday, the Trump administration again declared its intention to withdraw the United States from membership in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, citing allegations that the agency promotes anti-Israel bias.
The move comes two years after the Biden administration rejoined UNESCO, ending a five-year absence that began during Trump’s first term. The latest withdrawal is expected to take effect in December 2026; after that point, the U.S. would retain observer status but no longer hold full membership.
UNESCO, which oversees the World Heritage program, is an agency known for preserving natural and cultural heritage of global significance. Famous sites that are part of the World Heritage Program include the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal in India, the Acropolis in Greece and Yellowstone National Park. It plays a broader role in enhancing global educational and scientific programs.
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There are currently 26 sites in the United States inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Among them, only two are located in California: Redwood National Park and Yosemite National Park.
Redwood National Park was added to the list in 1980. It encompasses a region of coastal mountains blanketed by magnificent forest of coastal redwoods, the tallest trees in the world. The park is also notable for its rich diversity of marine and terrestrial life.
Yosemite National Park, one of California’s most popular vacation destinations, was designated a World Heritage Site in 1984. It is renowned for its unique breathtaking natural beauty, characterized by dramatic granite formations shaped by glaciation.
However, even before Trump took office, the National Park Service was underfunded, operating on a lean $3 billion budget. Since January, staffing has dropped by 13%, and Trump proposed slashing the budget by 30%, according to the New York Times.
After the withdrawal action takes effect, the U.S. is ineligible to serve on the World Heritage Committee without paying dues to the World Heritage Fund, but it remains a party to the convention and retains the ability to nominate sites for World Heritage designation.
The current U.S. Tentative List includes 19 properties or groups of properties, 11 of which are cultural heritage and eight of which are natural heritage. The one in California is the California Current Conservation Complex, which includes Cordell Bank, Monterey Bay, Greater Farallones, Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The list is intended to be the source of U.S. World Heritage nominations over the next decade.
