Action Alerts
May 2026
Help these State Bills in the Appropriations Committee
This month, the Assembly and Senate Appropriations Committees are each considering bills that could impact 30×30. One would increase protection, and one, if not amended, could cause harm. We need your help today.
Support the Protection of 85,000 Acres of State Forest, Pass AB 2494
In order to stop extractive commercial logging on our state demonstration forests, AB 2494 (Rogers) ends the mandate that these forests be managed for extractive purposes. Contact Assembly Appropriations Committee Chair, Assemblymember Wicks, today to ask that AB 2494 be passed through committee to help our state forests incorporate a management approach that centers tribal co-management, biodiversity, climate mitigation and resiliency, and outdoor access as opposed to profit-driven logging in state forests. Speak up by May 7th.
Strengthen SB 1097 to Protect California’s Sensitive Lands
SB 1097 (Weiner) must be amended to ensure that efforts to modernize our energy grid do not come at the expense of California’s treasured natural and cultural resources. Reach out to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair, Senator Cervantes, to ask that SB 1097 pass only if it is amended to exclude state parks, ecological refuges, designated habitat for endangered species, national monuments, and protected and sensitive lands from the CEQA exemption for reconductoring. Speak up by May 7th.
- See portal to message Senator Cervantes here, or call her office (916) 651-4031
- Key Messages:
- Only pass SB 1097 out of the Appropriations Committee, unless it is amended to exclude 30×30 lands (state parks, ecological refuges, designated habitat for endangered species, national monuments, and protected and sensitive lands) from the CEQA exemption for reconductoring.
- Federal roadless areas must be included in the list of protected sensitive lands so that transmission projects must comply with CEQA for those areas.
- SB 1097 must include language that requires tribal consultation.
- Transmission reconductoring projects can have serious environmental impacts if not designed to avoid, minimize, and mitigate.
Regional Marine Protected Area (MPA) Hearings
Currently, there are a number of petitions to either strengthen or weaken the network that will be decided upon by the CA Fish and Game Commission this Spring. In order to achieve 30×30 on our coastal waters and prepare our beloved coastline for current and emerging stressors, advocating for more and stronger MPAs is vital. Consider attending one of the upcoming hearings to support proposed MPAs or the strengthening of existing MPAs in your region:
- May 5-6: Central Coast petitions will be heard in a meeting in the Santa Barbara Area
- May 19: South Coast petitions will be heard in a meeting in the San Diego area
There will also be the option to join these meetings on Zoom to make a comment in support.
See this Storymap of all the proposed Marine Protected Areas around the state. To support MPAs that strengthen the network, submit a written comment to the Commission by email at <fgc@fgc.ca.gov> or by mail at California Fish and Game Commission, P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090. Please note the petition number in the subject (i.e., Petition No. 2023-21 Pyramid Point SMCA to no take with tribal exemption).
March 2026
“It’s a Load of CRA!” Stop the Sneaky Use of Congressional Review Act
Sen. Mike Lee and Rep. Celeste Maloy of Utah are using the obscure Congressional Review Act to dismantle the management plan for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah. Like management plans here in California, the monument’s plan was built through years of input from Tribal Nations, local communities, and the public. If the resolution succeeds, it sets a dangerous precedent for national monuments across the country. Call your representatives now and urge them to vote NO on the Lee-Maloy Joint Resolution for Grand Staircase-Escalante.
February 2026
Power in Nature Sign on Letter for State Budget Priorities
As organizations focused on the conservation of our natural resources and access for all to the outdoors, with a particular focus on the goal to conserve 30% of our lands and waters by 2030, the Power in Nature Coalition has an opportunity to let the Legislature and Administration know what we believe are important budget priorities. This sign-on letter below outlines the budget priorities for the Power in Nature Coalition, including supporting additional appropriations from Proposition 4, the Climate Bond; budget increases to protect endangered species and further 30×30 objectives; the need to protect funding for prescribed fire; funding for the reinstatement of a wildlife coexistence program at the CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife; and the need to protect hundreds of staff positions at the Department of Fish and Wildlife, State Parks and the State Water Resources Control Board from being permanently cut from the budget. The deadline to sign our budget priority letter is Friday, March 6, 2026.
“Sell-Off Steve” Nominated to Lead Bureau of Land Management
Steve Pearce has been nominated to lead the Bureau of Land Management, which oversees 15 million acres of public lands in California. A former oil and gas executive, Pearce has supported transferring public lands to private interests. His Senate confirmation hearing was held this week; a vote has not yet been scheduled. Tell your Senator to vote NO.
Sign-on Letter for State Demonstration Forest Bill - AB 2494
AB 2494 would provide a transformative update to the management of California’s State Demonstration Forests by shifting the management of the forest away from industrial commercial timber production, and towards ecological restoration, climate resilience, and Tribal co-governance for more than 85,000 acres of public forestland statewide. AB 2494 will qualify the 85,000 acres of state demonstration forests for our 30×30 goal, and will include the end of the commercial logging mandate for the Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF).
January 2026
Call to Action: Urge Your Legislators to Support Timely Release of Proposition 4 Funds.
The release of Proposition 4 (Climate Bond) funding is facing significant delays due to the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) rulemaking process. Agencies estimate that the APA process could delay Prop 4 funds by 12–18 months. We are already seeing these delays begin. The Wildlife Conservation Board and the Coastal Conservancy recently announced that they are pausing acceptance of new grant applications due to APA-related challenges. Without legislative action, similar delays will affect all agencies responsible for allocating Prop 4 funds.
State Assemblymember Alvarez introduced AB 35 to exempt Proposition 4 funds from the APA process. On January 26, the California Assembly unanimously passed AB 35, a bill designed to accelerate spending under Proposition 4 and allow the changes to take effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature. AB 35 now moves to the Senate for consideration before heading to the Governor. Please call your Senator and ask them to vote for AB 35!
Call to Action:
- Call and email your State Senator and urge them to vote yes to pass AB 35 to exempt Proposition 4 funds from the APA.
- You can look up your Senator here: https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov
Take Action: Speak Up for California's Rivers at the Bay-Delta Water Plan Hearing
A major decision about the future of California’s rivers is happening now—and public voices are critical. The Bay-Delta Water Plan will determine how much water must remain in rivers to support healthy ecosystems, salmon and other fish, clean drinking water, and the communities that depend on them. This decision affects river flows throughout the state and will have long-term implications for Tribal and fishing communities, local economies, and California’s ability to adapt to a changing climate.
Call to Action:
- The State Water Board is hosting a three-day public hearing on January 28–30, and they need to hear directly from people who care about our rivers. Virtual testimony available and in-person option at 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. In order to speak at the hearing (you can choose which day — January 28, 29 or 30) you need to fill out a speaker card.
- Yosemite Rivers Alliance, Sierra Club, Restore the Delta, Save California Salmon, and Friends of the River hosted a great speaker training with clear, useful information and strong talking point suggestions. You can watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/zdrHq1le40I.
- See talking points for the Bay-Delta Water Plan hearing from Save California Salmon’s social media.
- Join the Rally in Sacramento on January 30th: For those who can attend in person, there will be a rally outside the CalEPA Building (1001 I Street, Sacramento) on Friday, January 30 at Noon. RSVP and get details here.
This is a pivotal moment for our rivers. A strong public turnout can make a real difference by ensuring decision-makers hear directly from the people and communities who depend on healthy rivers. Please consider joining and sharing your story.