A Look Back for 探花精选 California’s 30-Year Anniversary
Celebrating a Long History of Conservation Milestones in California
From left: California Condor, California Brown Pelican, Tricolored Blackbird, Mia Rosati - former Community Conservation Fellow for Richardson Bay 探花精选 Center & Sanctuary, Intermountain West Shorebird Survey at the Salton Sea, and members of the Salton Sea & Desert team in Chuckwalla National Monument. Photos: Loi Nguyen/探花精选 Photography Awards, Morgan Quimby/探花精选 Photography Awards, Alecia Smith/探花精选 California, Paige Fernandez/探花精选 California, Hans Baumann, and Mike Fernandez/探花精选
As 探花精选 California marks 30 years in 2026, we鈥檙e also celebrating a conservation legacy in California that spans far longer. Long before we were established as an official state office in 1996, 探花精选 was already helping protect vital habitats, advance major conservation wins, and advocate for birds and communities across the state. This anniversary, we invite you to join us in reflecting on the incredible milestones and victories that have changed the face of California conservation over the years.
Short on time? You can jump around to some key moments by clicking the shortcuts below:
First 探花精选 Chapter founded in California | Founded in 1904 as 鈥淐alifornia 探花精选鈥 after renowned field biologist Joseph Grinnell鈥檚 first Pasadena bird list was published, . In 1909, members held their first outdoor meeting in the Arroyo Seco, identifying 22 bird species, and the group adopted the name Pasadena 探花精选 Society to distinguish itself from other 探花精选 chapters.
1939
Building 探花精选鈥檚 California Presence | . By 1942, the 探花精选 had established a small nature center there known as the 探花精选 Center of Southern California. Established as part of a major membership effort that also helped launch several new California chapters, the 探花精选 Center of Southern California later became the Whittier Narrows Nature Center, now operated by the County of Los Angeles, and served as a precursor to what is now the 探花精选 Center at Debs Park.
1957
Richardson Bay 探花精选 Center & Sanctuary | The center & sanctuarywas established in 1957, securing a vital Bay habitat that would become a lasting place for bird conservation, stewardship, and community connection.
1968
探花精选鈥檚 Western Regional Office (based in Sacramento) | The office was established in 1968, laying the foundation for a stronger and more sustained presence in California policy and conservation work.
1970
California Brown Pelican
1970鈥擜fter 探花精选 first sounded the alarm about the hazards of DDT in 探花精选 Magazine in 1945 and began documenting declines in bird species linked to the pesticide in 1960, the California Brown Pelican was federally listed as endangered in 1970 as DDT-driven reproductive failure pushed the species into steep decline.
1971鈥擟alifornia adds state protection: California state-listed the Brown Pelican as endangered in 1971, reinforcing urgent efforts to protect the species from pesticide-driven decline.
1972鈥擜 campaign by the Environmental Defense Fund and 探花精选 ends in victory when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency bans the use of the insecticide DDT.
2009鈥擱ecovery after the DDT era: Brown Pelicans were removed from both the state and federal endangered species list in 2009 after a substantial recovery following the DDT ban in 1972.
2025鈥擟ommunity science study advances Brown Pelican conservation: A scientific paper published in Marine Ornithology (2025) showed how volunteer surveys coordinated by 探花精选 California and Bird Alliance of Oregon helped reveal important patterns in Brown Pelican productivity, movement, and distribution across the West Coast. Conducted from 2016 to 2019, the study demonstrated the value of community science in informing conservation for this climate-vulnerable seabird.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) |The act was established in 1970 as a statewide process for reviewing environmental impacts, considering alternatives, and reducing avoidable harm before projects move forward. For 探花精选 California, CEQA has long been an important law for protecting birds, wildlife, and communities from harmful development, and one that 探花精选 California, alongside California chapters, continues to work to uphold.
California Endangered Species Act (CESA)|The protections were originally enacted in 1970 and updated in 1984, creating a strong state framework for protecting species at risk of extinction. CESA is an essential safeguard for birds and wildlife, helping protect species such as the Tricolored Blackbird, California Least Tern, and Least Bell鈥檚 Vireo.
1973
Starr Ranch
Starr Ranch came under National 探花精选 stewardship in 1973, protecting an extraordinary Southern California landscape that would become central to research, restoration, and education.
1997鈥擲tarr Ranch began upland invasive species control and restoration work, launching long-term efforts to improve habitat quality and ecological resilience.
2000鈥擲tarr Ranch Field Ecology Programs, connecting people to science outdoors: Starr Ranch launched its Field Ecology Programs in 2000, creating hands-on opportunities for students and educators to learn through nature and science.
2011 鈥 Starr Ranch cougar research, deepening ecological understanding: A research partnership with UC Davis began at Starr Ranch in 2011, expanding understanding of mountain lions and broader ecological relationships across the landscape.
1975
Bobelaine Sanctuary | Established in 1975 through a donation from Bob and Elaine Crandall, the sanctuary helps protect rare Central Valley riparian habitat along the Feather River. Today, it is considered a "State Ecological Reserve" and an Important Bird Area.
The Williams Sisters Ranch Sanctuary| Through the sisters' donation, the sanctuary was established in 1976. The addition of this sanctuary protected working landscape to 探花精选鈥檚 California sanctuary system. The 1,200-acre historic cattle ranch is located along Skyline Drive in Woodside, California.
1983
Supreme Court Win for Mono Lake | Mono Lake鈥檚 ecosystem, essential to bird life, nearly collapsed in the 1980s. The City of Los Angeles began diverting four of Mono Lake鈥檚 five main creeks in 1941, and over the course of 40 years, the lake dropped 45 feet, increasing in salinity to the point where its brine shrimp almost couldn鈥檛 survive. The 探花精选, along with the Mono Lake Committee, brought suit, and in 1983 the California Supreme Court ruled it was the state鈥檚 duty to safeguard the environment for all, even if that meant a shuffling of once-inviolable water rights. This was an unprecedented decision, a landmark for the environmental movement, and Mono's level was stabilized.
1987
A Last Resort for California Condors | As California Condors hovered on the brink, 探花精选 advocated for the controversial decision to bring the last wild birds into captivity鈥攁 critical step toward recovery and reintroduction.
California Condor #20 is the oldest living condor in the wild and one of the last surviving birds born in the wild before the remaining population was brought into captivity to begin the breeding program. Captured in 1985, #20 later sired more than 30 chicks that were released back into the wild, and he was released in 2015.
California Condor History
1988鈥擟alifornia Condor captive breeding begins to turn the tide: The first condor chick hatched in captivity in 1988, marking a pivotal milestone in rebuilding a species once perilously close to extinction.
2007鈥擜B 821: 探花精选 California, with legislative and conservation partners, helped lead the push for AB 821, which passed in 2007. The law eliminated the use of lead ammunition in the range of the California Condor鈥攁n important step in addressing one of the species鈥 most persistent threats.
2013鈥擜B 711: 探花精选 California joined a broad coalition that successfully passed Assembly Bill 711 (AB 711), requiring the use of nonlead ammunition for hunting in California by 2019. The bill was co-sponsored by 探花精选 California, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Humane Society of the United States.
Wattis Sanctuary | Located in Colusa, California (Sacramento Valley), the sanctuary was established in 1989, expanding 探花精选鈥檚 network of protected lands in California.
1992
Marbled Murrelet Protections | The 探花精选 network played an important role in advancing protections for the Marbled Murrelet over several decades.
Marbled Murrelet History
In 1988, for federal protection of the species, helping launch the process that led to its 1992 listing as threatened under the Endangered Species Act due to the loss of old-growth nesting habitat in Washington, Oregon, and California. Redwood Region 探花精选 Society also petitioned for state protection under CESA, helping secure state endangered status for the species.
2014鈥 in the Santa Cruz Mountains following 2013 advocacy by 探花精选 California and the Center for Biological Diversity.
2016鈥探花精选 continued that advocacy by supporting the defense of nearly 3.7 million acres of critical habitat, upholding protections that included Northern California forests relied on by this rare seabird.
1993
Western Snowy Plover Support Along the Pacific Coast | 探花精选 helped ensure crucial safeguards for the Western Snowy Plover.
Protecting Western Snowy Plovers
After the 探花精选 of the Pacific coast population of the Western Snowy Plover, the bird was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1993. The listing recognized the vulnerability of this small beach-nesting shorebird to habitat loss and disturbance along the Pacific Coast.
探花精选 California was established, creating a statewide organization dedicated to bird conservation, habitat protection, and environmental policy across California.
1997
Kern River Preserve| The preserve was established in 1997, protecting a vital riparian landscape in the southern San Joaquin Valley for migratory birds and resident wildlife.
2003
The 探花精选 Center at Debs Park Opens
2003鈥擠ebs Park, an urban center for birds and people: The 探花精选 Center at Debs Park opened in 2003, creating an urban hub for nature education, habitat restoration, and community leadership in Los Angeles.
2003鈥擜 landmark in green building: In 2003, the 探花精选 Center at Debs Park became the first LEED Platinum-certified building in the country at the time of its construction鈥攎aking sustainability part of the center鈥檚 mission from the start.
2023鈥擫.A. River restoration supports Least Bell鈥檚 Vireo: 探花精选 California鈥檚 Debs Park team and partners advanced native habitat restoration along the Los Angeles River, helping support the return of the endangered Least Bell鈥檚 Vireo near Rio de Los Angeles State Park. That success was highlighted as part of a in 2024.
2025鈥擫os Nogales Nursery Opened to the Public: While the nursery started in partnership with the Theodore Payne Foundation several years ago, the nursery opened its gates to the public for native plant sales for the first time in 2025, supporting habitat restoration and nurturing community involvement!
2006
Bay Area HQ| 探花精选 California established its Bay Area Office in 2006, expanding regional capacity for restoration, policy, and partnership work in the San Francisco Bay.
2007
Bobcat Ranch| The ranch was established in 2007, protecting a working landscape that supports birds, biodiversity, and conservation on private lands.
2008
探花精选 California Helps Launch a Collaborative Path Forward at Owens Lake |The lake islocated at the base of California's Inyo Mountains, covering nearly 100 square miles.
鈥淔or many years, Mike Prather (Eastern Sierra Bird Alliance) was a lone voice for Owens Lake. By the time we met in 2006, he showed up with huge three-ring binders full of articles, photos, data, and testimony from years of public advocacy. He really accosted me with those binders鈥攁nd I mean that affectionately. It was clear how much urgency, persistence, and personal commitment he had brought to protecting Owens Lake. In response, 探花精选 California immediately committed staff time and resources to Owens Lake, and Mike鈥檚 determination was a big part of why that work moved forward.鈥
鈥擜ndrea Jones
Owens Lake
1985鈥擝ird observations help renew conservation attention. Eastern Sierra 探花精选 leader Mike Prather documented shorebirds using Owens Lake during the 1985 Christmas Bird Count, helping renew attention to the lake鈥檚 importance for birds.
2001鈥擮wens Lake is recognized as an Important Bird Area. As habitat conditions changed, Owens Lake was designated an Important Bird Area, recognizing its growing value for shorebirds and other waterbirds.
2008鈥擜fter years of protracted negotiations, Andrea Jones and 探花精选 California issued an invitation to anyone with a stake in Owens Lake: conservation groups, such as the Native Plant Society and the Sierra Club; state and federal agencies; county and Los Angeles officials, and everyone accepted. These discussions focused on shared habitat goals for the entire lake and showed that it was possible to protect significant bird habitat while also reducing water use.
2013鈥擫ong-term habitat planning gains momentum: 探花精选 California and Eastern Sierra 探花精选 helped advance a long-term vision for Owens Lake that emphasized bird habitat alongside dust control and water management.
2018 鈥 Owens Lake joined the , an exclusive group of 104 areas from the southern tip of South America to Alaska certified for their outstanding numbers of birds.
The Tejon Ranch Conservation and Land Use Agreement | 探花精选 California helped secure a landmark conservation agreement at Tejon Ranch, and joined conservation partners in the Tejon Ranch Conservation Agreement, helping protect up to 240,000 acres of grasslands, oak woodlands, streams, and desert habitats. These stunning landscapes support birds such as the Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Western Burrowing Owl, Swainson鈥檚 Hawk, state-threatened Tricolored Blackbird, and Loggerhead Shrike, and are also home to the federally endangered San Joaquin kit fox.
The conservation easements were purchased by the independent Tejon Ranch Conservancy, which was created as part of the 2008 agreement, through a grant provided by the State Wildlife Conservation Board. (探花精选 California plays a special role on behalf of the conservation groups that signed the 2008 agreement by holding third-party enforcement rights should the easements ever be violated).
2012
North Coast Marine Protected Areas | 探花精选 California and Mendocino Coast 探花精选 helped lead efforts to establish the North Coast Marine Protected Areas, a network of more than 100 protected ocean areas and special closure zones approved from the Oregon border to Point Arena. The protections, which remain in place today, helped safeguard seabirds, shorebirds, and important coastal bird habitat along California鈥檚 North Coast.
Aramburu Island Shoreline Protection | After the 2007 Cosco Busan oil spill, 探花精选 California identified Aramburu Island in Richardson Bay as critical refuge habitat for birds escaping contaminated waters. That urgency helped spark the Aramburu Island shoreline protection and ecological enhancement project, completed in 2012 to stabilize the island鈥檚 eroding eastern shoreline, improve aquatic, wetland, and upland habitat, and strengthen resilience to sea level rise. Since then, thousands of native plants have been installed and volunteers have contributed thousands of hours to ongoing restoration and stewardship.
San Joaquin River Restoration | 探花精选 California launched the campaign with coalition partners to build public support for San Joaquin River Restoration Program (approved by Congress in 2009), working with San Joaquin 探花精选, Stanislaus 探花精选, Fresno 探花精选, and Yosemite 探花精选 to encourage grassroots advocacy across the Valley. Through local outreach and coalition work, 探花精选 helped rally support for restoring habitat, clean water, and public access along one of California鈥檚 most altered river systems.
2014
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)| 探花精选 supported SGMA,a landmark law that created a new framework for balancing groundwater use with the long-term health of farms, wetlands, and wildlife habitat; requiring sustainable groundwater management by 2040. Local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) are now required to develop Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GPSs) to chart a course to 20-year sustainability in overdrafted basins.
BirdReturns Pilot | The initial BirdReturns program pilot launched in 2014 during severe drought, providing habitat where birds need it most. BirdReturns is a collaborative program of the Migratory Bird Conservation Partnership, which is comprised of 探花精选 California, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and Point Blue Conservation Science, working together to create habitat for resident and migratory birds across the Pacific Flyway. The initial pilot for the collaborative BirdReturns project was managed by TNC in 2014.
Richardson Bay Youth Leaders|Initially launched in 2014, the program helps young people build environmental knowledge, leadership skills, and a deeper connection to local conservation.
2016
Salton Sea Program Established | Building on years of prior engagement at the Salton Sea, 探花精选 California officially established the Salton Sea Program, deepening its commitment to one of the most important places for birds in North America. 探花精选 California works in collaboration with partners to ensure habitat restoration strategies address the needs of both birds and people in the region.
Select Salton Sea Milestones
The QSA was a 2003 set of Colorado River water agreements among the State of California and major Southern California water agencies that quantified water rights and enabled large long-term transfers of conserved Imperial Valley water to urban Southern California. A major consequence was reduced inflow to the Salton Sea. 探花精选 California advocated during the 2003 State Water Resources Control Board transfer hearings, urging regulators to require stronger mitigation for the Salton Sea and to protect future restoration options for birds and habitat as inflows declined.
2016: 探花精选 California established its Salton Sea Program in 2016. 2018: The establishment of a Salton Sea office in 2018 strengthened 探花精选 California鈥檚 on-the-ground capacity for science, advocacy, restoration, and partnership.
In 2020, 探花精选 secured federal support for restoration near Bombay Beach鈥攂uilding on emergent wetlands that can both improve habitat and help reduce harmful dust, with thousands of acres of wetlands forming around the Sea from agricultural outflows and springs.
In June of 2020, we released a titled "Identifying Existing Areas for Habitat Protection/Enhancement and Dust Suppression Projects on the Salton Sea Exposed Playa" that assesses the amount and distribution of these newly emerging wetlands on the exposed playa. It found over 6,700 acres of emerging vegetation including 5,400 acres of vascular plant vegetation and 1,300 acres of algal mat vegetation that provide at least temporary dust suppression for local communities and habitat for birds and other wildlife. These incidental wetlands could be used for lower-effort habitat and dust suppression projects using a less engineered approach by expanding, stabilizing, and enhancing them, as opposed to creating new interventions.
Measure AA | Endorsed by 探花精选 California and local chapters, Measure AA(one of the first property taxes in the United States helping a region adapt to the effects of climate change) passed in June 2016, delivering sustained regional funding to accelerate San Francisco Bay wetland restoration鈥攕upporting habitat for birds while strengthening shoreline resilience. 探花精选 California and all eight local 探花精选 chapters supported the measure by organizing phone banks, hosting events, and leading field trips to local wetlands.
Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) | For eight years, 探花精选 California served as a voice for birds in the federal and state planning process for the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan, working alongside Eastern Sierra 探花精选, Kern 探花精选, Kerncrest 探花精选, San Fernando Valley 探花精选, San Bernardino Valley 探花精选, and San Diego 探花精选. Finalized in 2016, the plan set a framework for renewable energy development across California鈥檚 desert while protecting more than 20 Important Bird Areas and strengthening safeguards for birds, habitat, and other ecological values. Species that stand to benefit include the Golden Eagle, Burrowing Owl, Tricolored Blackbird, Swainson鈥檚 Hawk, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo.
2017
Humboldt Bay Habitat Protected | In 2017, after an 18-month campaign led by 探花精选 California that included thousands of public comment letters and a lawsuit, the California Coastal Commission denied the original proposed expansion of oyster farming into sensitive bird habitat and eelgrass beds in Humboldt Bay. The revised project, approved later that year, reduced and consolidated existing operations to lessen disturbance in one of the Pacific Flyway鈥檚 most important estuaries, including habitat used by up to 60% of Pacific Black Brant and supporting nearly 10% of all wintering shorebirds along the Pacific Coast in the U.S.
2019
AB 454: a State Backstop for Migratory Birds |探花精选 supported AB 454, which created a California backstop for migratory bird protections at a time of instability in federal enforcement.
Threatened Status Takes Effect for Tricolored Blackbirds Under California's Endangered Species Act (CESA) | The Tricolored Blackbird was formally added to California鈥檚 list of threatened species. Mike Lynes, Policy Director at 探花精选 California, reflected on a behind-the-scenes advocacy effort to secure protections for Tricolored Blackbirds, beloved birds that nest in large, dense colonies and often rely on farmlands for nesting habitat in response to wetland habitat loss. This breeding behavior puts the birds at risk, as farmers often need to harvest crops before chicks have fledged:
鈥淪ammy Arthur and I were literally walking the swing-vote commissioner through why the species needed to be listed, the night before the vote, writing things out on napkins and explaining the whole colonial nesting process. That moment has stayed with me because it captured both the urgency and the determination to protect Tricolored Blackbirds.鈥
鈥Mike Lynes
Protections for beloved Tricolored Blackbirds
The Tricolored Blackbird鈥檚 2019 CESA listing marked a major milestone in the long advocacy effort by 探花精选 California and partners to secure lasting protections for one of California鈥檚 most vulnerable birds.
1994鈥擳o get the most accurate Tricolored Blackbird population counts, 探花精选 California, along with partner organizations, the University of California, Davis, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, coordinate a survey every three years in April . The statewide effort started in April, 1994.
2014鈥擜s Tricolored Blackbird numbers continued to fall, California granted the species emergency endangered status under CESA. 探花精选 supported stronger state protections for the species during this period of steep decline.
2015鈥擳he species鈥 temporary emergency protections expired in June 2015, underscoring the need for longer-term safeguards.
2018鈥擟alifornia votes to list Tricolored Blackbird as threatened: On April 19, 2018, the California Fish and Game Commission voted to list the Tricolored Blackbird as threatened under CESA. 探花精选 strongly advocated for state action to protect the species as population declines continued.
2019鈥擫asting protections for the Tricolored Blackbird take effect on March 18, 2019, when the species is listed as state-threatened under CESA.
2020
California's 探花精选 Conservation Ranching (ACR) Program | California's ACR program launched in 2019, pairing bird-friendly grazing practices with certification and market recognition to help conservation scale across rangelands. Using Regenerative Grazing to sequester carbon, increase grassland climate resiliency, and improve bird habitat, the ACR program partners with sustainable ranches and other working lands partners committed to conservation. Bobcat Ranch became the first demonstration site in California for the 探花精选 Conservation Ranching program.
California鈥檚 30x30 Executive Order (EO) |30x30 EO elevated nature-based solutions and biodiversity protection within a broader statewide conservation framework. 探花精选 California sponsored AB 3030, laying the groundwork for Governor Newsom鈥檚 October 2020 executive order committing California to conserve 30 percent of its lands and coastal waters by 2030. Newsom鈥檚 EO, based on the AB 3030, follows the international movement to set aside 30 percent of the earth鈥檚 land area to preserve wildlife habitat and protect against climate change. It also recognizes the rights, stewardship, and wisdom of Indigenous People and prioritizes ensuring the benefits of cleaner lands, waters, and air are shared by all people.
Sonoma Creek Restoration | The Sonoma Creek Enhancement Project restored hundreds of acres of tidal marsh habitat in the North Bay鈥攕howing how restoration design can better prepare marshes (and the birds and people that rely on them) for climate change-related threats, like sea level rise and stronger storms.
2023
California's Desert Priorities | 探花精选 California expanded our work in the Salton Sea region, rebranding it as the Salton Sea & Desert Program, reflecting a broader regional conservation vision including the local team's work on the Chuckwalla National Monument Campaign.
Intermountain West Shorebird Survey at the Salton Sea | 探花精选 California joined the historic effort, leading survey efforts at the Salton Sea starting in 2022 and helping document the migratory shorebirds that depend on this rapidly changing ecosystem over the course of 4 years. The Salton Sea is an integral part of the interior wetland network that supports migrating shorebirds along the Pacific Flyway. In August 2023, the Salton Sea survey documented approximately 250,000 shorebirds in a single day, underscoring the Sea鈥檚 importance within this broader regional effort.
2024
探花精选 California's Coastal Leadership Program |The inaugural Coastal Leadership Program cohort launched in Los Angeles County, supporting emerging leaders through six months of skill-building, community connection, and capstone projects focused on coastal environmental challenges鈥攁ll grounded in the joy of birding.
Assembly Bill 2875 |Co-sponsored by 探花精选 California, AB 2875 establishes a policy of 鈥渘o net loss鈥 of wetlands in the state and commits California to long-term gains in both the quantity and quality of wetlands that communities and wetland-dependent bird species depend on. The Legislature passed AB 2875 to protect California鈥檚 wetlands in response to the rollback of federal protections under a Supreme Court decision in 2023. (The court鈥檚 ruling in Sackett vs. EPA redefined the federal scope of wetlands, removing protections for many streams that do not flow year-round).
Senate Bill 583|探花精选 California supported SB 583, creating the Salton Sea Conservancy Act and setting the stage for long-term restoration and governance tools tied to bond funding鈥攈elping protect vital habitat for birds and support healthier, more resilient communities around the Sea.
Proposition 4| The $10 billion Climate Bond, supported by 探花精选 California and coalition partners, was approved by California voters in 2024, unlocking major new funding for climate resilience, habitat restoration, and community protection across the state.
2025
Chuckwalla National Monument | After years of advocacy supported by 探花精选 and many partners, Chuckwalla National Monument was designated on January 14, 2025鈥攑rotecting a vast California desert landscape important to birds, wildlife, cultural resources, and climate resilience. As a testament to our role, 探花精选 California's Rhian Reyes was honored to speak at the White House designation event and to introduce President Joe Biden.
BirdReturns Celebrates 10 years|Since 2014, BirdReturns has provided more than 180,000 acres of habitat through partnerships with over 210 wetland managers and farmers, giving hundreds of thousands of birds critical food and shelter along the Pacific Flyway throughout the annual cycle. During the 2021 drought, CDFW supported the partnership鈥檚 vision to scale BirdReturns across the Central Valley and into the Suisun Marsh, later allocating $15 million to expand the program across additional regions and seasons.
Permanent Protections for California's Migratory Birds | Co-sponsored by 探花精选 California, AB 454 passed in 2025 to reinstate andmake permanent the California Migratory Bird Protection Act, locking in state-level protections even amid federal rollbacks.
Inaugural Salton Sea Leadership Program | 探花精选 California launched the Salton Sea Leadership Programto connect participants with hands-on learning, field trips, and community engagement opportunities that deepen understanding of the region鈥檚 ecology, build advocacy skills, and support the communities connected to this unique ecosystem.
Salton Sea Science Brief| A new 探花精选 California highlighted how shifting conditions at the Salton Sea are creating new opportunities for shorebirds and wetlands, helping inform restoration and future decision-making.
Forming New Alliances on Rangelands |探花精选 California's Conservation Ranching program continues , bringing together ranchers, bird experts, food advocates, and conservationists through its 鈥淕razed on Bird-Friendly Land鈥 certification. The program highlights how healthy working lands can support birds, resilient food systems, and the long-term stewardship of California鈥檚 rangelands.
Bombay Beach Wetland Restoration Receives Federal Investment| We鈥檙e thrilled to see that the bipartisan package of Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations allocated $4 million for the Bombay Beach Wetland Restoration Project at the Salton Sea, a critical investment for the region鈥檚 communities. In partnership with 探花精选 and state and federal agencies, the project stabilizes and expands wetland habitat, improves conditions for migratory birds, and reduces harmful dust from the receding shoreline affecting nearby communities.鈦 The funding supports the expansion of public access at Bombay Beach, helping more people experience nature at the Salton Sea through places to walk, birdwatch, and gather outdoors.鈦
Reflecting Back and Looking Forward
探花精选 California is proud of our many decades of hard work and conservation impact in our beloved state. Together, these milestones reflect what long-term conservation makes possible through science, partnership, advocacy, and strong community leadership. As we celebrate 30 years of the state office, we鈥檙e also celebrating the people who make this work possible: our 49 impressive chapters, brilliant partners, passionate staff, tireless volunteers, and committed supporters like you.
All year long, as we celebrate historic wins, learn about current bright spots, and get inspired for the future we鈥檒l can continue building for birds and people, together.
Birds Tell Us to Act on Climate
Pledge to stand with 探花精选 to call on elected officials to listen to science and work towards climate solutions.
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