FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2026
Contact: Stefanie Lao, stefanie@fcpcommunications.com, (818) 261-6871
Power in Nature Coalition Recaps California’s 2026-2027 Budget
The coalition urges the California Legislature to allocate Prop 4 funds by August.
SACRAMENTO, CA —Today, the Power in Nature coalition shared highlights from its analysis of the 2026-2027 state budget signed by Governor Newsom on June 29, 2026, emphasizing the following points:
- Staffing Cuts: During budget negotiations, the Power in Nature coalition raised the alarm about the proposed elimination of 345 positions at the state’s environmental agencies. The final budget eliminated 75% of these positions. Although the budget included 147 new positions to address emerging priorities and programs, some of them are temporary while some will be phased in over time. The broad elimination of much-needed natural resources positions echoes the mass federal layoffs of park rangers, land managers, scientists, and others.
- Prop 4 Allocations: The governor and legislature deferred decisions on allocating billions of dollars from Proposition 4, the Climate Bond, until August 2026. This delays investments in habitat restoration, climate resilience, water, wildfire, parks, and other natural resource priorities. The biggest debate around Prop 4 allocations will be whether the funding will be earmarked with specific legislative requests or appropriated in lump sums to allow for competitive grant programs, which was the original intent of Prop 4 to allow for a more equitable distribution of the funds. While Prop 4 allocations were delayed, on July 16, the Governor signed Assembly Bill 35 into law, which will help streamline the expenditure of climate bond funds.
- Funding Investments to Key State Agencies: The budget made modest investments in conservation projects and outdoor access throughout the state, including:
- $1 million to California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Wildlife Coexistence Initiative to expand proactive, nonlethal human-wildlife conflict prevention.
- $2 million to California Department of Fish and Wildlife for desert tortoise conservation.
- $6 million to California Department of Fish and Wildlife to establish Delta-based decontamination sites to prevent the spread of invasive golden mussels.
- $1.4 million to the California Natural Resources Agency to address harmful algal blooms in Discovery Bay.
- $10 million to the Wildlife Conservation Board to continue Point Reyes conservation projects that restore coastal wetlands and tule elk habitat, improve native vegetation, and enhance public access.
- $6.75 million to continue the California State Parks Library Pass Program.
- $17.5 million to State Parks to implement the department’s new reservation system.
Please see below for statements on these topics.
Statement from Melanie Schlotterbeck, Conservation Consultant for Hills For Everyone and co-chair of the Power in Nature Coalition Leadership Committee, on the elimination of key positions at state environmental agencies:
“The elimination of positions at various state natural resource agencies undermines California’s ability to protect parks, waters, and wildlife. Despite the positive addition of new positions, the elimination of key roles is deeply concerning. At a time when the federal government has slashed staffing at public land and wildlife agencies, our state agencies are crucial to the conservation and stewardship of our public lands.”
Statement from Eamon O’Byrne, executive director of Sonoma Land Trust on Prop 4 funding allocations:
“There are less than four years left to fulfill the state’s 30×30 commitment. At this critical moment, California must capitalize on the momentum and progress we’ve made so far to conserve ecosystems and preserve biodiversity. Voters approved Prop 4 to ensure funds and resources are available for protecting our state’s lands and waters. We urge the state legislature to allocate funding through competitive grant programs to support the protection, restoration, enhancement, and acquisition of important lands, including an expansion of the State Park system.”
Background on 30×30:
Scientists worldwide agree that to protect life as we know it, we must conserve at least 30% of the Earth’s lands and coastal waters by 2030. In 2020, Governor Newsom committed California to the 30×30 goal, and in 2023, that goal became state law.
California is leading the world towards 30×30, especially on the land side, but millions of acres still must be conserved in less than four years. Preserving the state’s lands and coastal waters will help address the impacts of climate change, protect animal and plant species at risk for extinction, and expand access to nature for Californians.
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About the Power in Nature Coalition
Power in Nature is a statewide coalition of over 500 community groups, environmental and conservation organizations, land trusts, Indigenous organizations, and Tribal members dedicated to advancing California’s 30×30 commitment. The Power in Nature coalition has identified more than a hundred potential 30×30 projects across the state and works on a broad range of issues, including biodiversity protection, climate resilience, equity, recreation, outdoor access, and social justice. For more information, visit PowerinNature.org.
