Natural History Wanderings

from California Institute for Biodiversity

As you know, thousands of Californians worked very hard to pass an important bill that grows native plant habitat for pollinators and people. We worked it through the state Assembly, then the state Senate.  After numerous committee hearings, much moving testimony, several votes, and many many letters from you and others, our bill finally made it to the Governor.

He chose to veto it.

It is a frustrating setback. California needs climate solutions that prioritize front line and under-invested communities. We need to reverse the habitat is that is driving the biodiversity crisis and loss of pollinators and song birds. We need small plots of urban land densely planted with local native plants!

For now, we need to say “Thank you.” You took action and helped move the bill through the legislature –THANK YOU! The bill enjoyed strong support from other legislators, including a pantheon of Coauthors: Assembly Members Mike Fong, Alex Lee, Gail Pellerin, Buffy Wicks, and Lori Wilson; Senators Dave Cortese and Henry Stern. They all deserve our thanks.

Most of all, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to state Assembly Member Ash Kalra and his dedicated staff. They saw a need, mapped a path forward, and did their very best to give California something good. Ash is on several social media platforms –if you can, please look him up and send a heartfelt thanks.

In the months ahead we’ll regroup and redouble our work to provide health benefits, build climate resiliency, mitigate extreme heat, advance equitable access to the benefits of nature, all while enhancing ecological biodiversity and supporting pollinator corridors.

Onward…