Progress Made Together for Birds and Wildlife: 2025 Policy Roundup

This yr, Audubon supporters throughout the state mobilized to strengthen protections for California’s most delicate birds, habitats, and communities. Our group chapters in key districts known as their lawmakers, and supporters despatched almost 15,000 letters urging motion on Audubon-sponsored and supported laws. Due to that advocacy and the management of champions within the Legislature, a number of essential payments at the moment are on the Governor’s desk to be thought of for signing inside the subsequent few weeks.

AB 454: Making Migratory Hen Protections Everlasting 

Lots of of chicken species depend on California’s habitats throughout their journeys alongside the Pacific Flyway. From raptors just like the Swainson’s Hawk to shorebirds such because the Western Sandpiper, tens of millions of birds rely on California annually.

For over a century, the federal Migratory Hen Treaty Act (MBTA) supplied important safety for these species, guiding safer industrial practices and serving to them get well after disasters, just like the Exxon Valdez oil spill. However when federal protections have been weakened in 2018, California stepped up with its personal legislation, the California Migratory Hen Safety Act, to make sure state safeguards would stay sturdy if federal legal guidelines fell brief.

That state legislation, nevertheless, had a “sundown” clause and routinely expired earlier this yr. Meeting Invoice 454 makes California’s dedication everlasting. With its passage by the Legislature, it now awaits the Governor’s signature.

AB 1319: Strengthening the California Endangered Species Act

California’s Endangered Species Act (CESA) gives an important security web when federal protections fall brief. Meeting Invoice 1319 gives a means for California to rapidly shield delicate species which might be presently listed underneath the federal ESA if federal protections are weakened. AB 1319 handed the Legislature and has gone to the Governor for signature. It is a main step ahead for biodiversity and resilience.

SB 427: Extending the Habitat Conservation Fund

Wildlife wants wholesome, linked locations to thrive. Senate Invoice 427 extends the Habitat Conservation Fund by 2035, persevering with its legacy of defending and managing greater than 1.2 million acres of habitat and making certain that California invests in buying, restoring, and enhancing landscapes for one more decade. This system has funded a whole lot of initiatives that assist California’s unimaginable biodiversity, together with the world’s largest wildlife crossing over Freeway 101 in Agoura Hills, a brand new trails gateway into Redwood Nationwide and State Parks, and an ancestral land-return mission in San Bernardino County. SB 427 has handed the Legislature and is now on the Governor’s desk.

AB 929: Defending Wetlands and Waterfowl Habitat

California’s Central Valley has misplaced over 95% of its native wetlands and far of the wetland habitat that continues to be is intensively managed and relies on groundwater.  Meeting Invoice 929 would keep wetlands exempt from California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, securing essential water provides for birds just like the Northern Shoveler, in addition to different wildlife and communities, whereas defending a few of the Central Valley’s final remaining wetlands. AB 929 handed the Meeting with bipartisan assist however has been transformed right into a two-year invoice that will probably be taken up once more when the Legislature reconvenes in January.

Defending CEQA

We’re additionally grateful to chapters and advocates who rallied last-minute to defend the California Environmental High quality Act (CEQA), a cornerstone legislation that protects birds, wildlife, and communities from dangerous growth. Though obligatory fixes to Senate Invoice 131 didn’t transfer ahead this yr, Audubon is already working to assist Assembly Bill 1083, launched by Assemblymember Damon Connolly, for January of subsequent yr. This new invoice fixes probably the most troubling modifications to CEQA, by restoring protections for delicate wildlife habitat and eradicating the exemption for “superior manufacturing”.

Huge Wins for Birds & California

This yr’s progress underscores what’s doable when Californians increase their voices for nature. Wanting forward, AB 454, AB 1319, and SB 427 are on the Governor’s desk, the place they’ve the chance to be signed into legislation and supply lasting protections for birds, wildlife, and communities.

We’re grateful to our supporters, group chapters, and coalition companions for serving to make this progress doable. Study new alternatives to take motion by subscribing to our newsletter and be part of us on social media for updates, motion alerts, and tales about conservation progress throughout California.