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$4.1 billion bond measure in 2018 established funding for safe parks, clean water, and natural resources protection
Prop. 68 will create more opportunities for Californians to enjoy the great outdoors.
Audubon California has long fought to protect California’s birds and natural landscapes – and encourage more people to experience these treasures – and that is why our organization emphatically supported Proposition 68 -- the California Clean Water & Safe Parks Act. The measure was approved by voters on June 5, 2018.
Read Audubon California's statement on the victory.
Background
Proposition 68 arrived at a time when millions of Californians lacked access to safe parks, trails, and recreation areas. Demand for local parks has exceeded available funding by a factor of 8-to-1, with particularly high need in urban, disadvantaged communities.
Moreover, the cycle of drought and extreme weather is already taking a toll on California’s natural treasures, and threatened our communities with flooding and ecological degradation. These same forces have also exposed our state’s antiquated water infrastructure, bringing into doubt our ability to provide clean, safe, and reliable drinking water to our residents.
Lastly, with most of the bond funding for vital conservation programs running out in the last few years, it was high time for Californians to make the next investment in the protection of the natural resources that have made us the envy of the world.
The opportunity
Audubon California was part of a broad coalition of organizations working closely with lawmakers to put the $4 billion parks and water bond on the ballot. The California Clean Water & Safe Parks Act will support of parks, protect natural resources and wildlife, increase drought and flood protection, and supply safe, clean water throughout the state.
The parks and water bond includes funding for a broad array of conservation priorities:
$2.83 billion for parks and natural resources funding
$1.27 billion for water reliability
$767 million for state conservancies
$442 million for climate adaptation
Audubon California urges everyone to vote YES on Proposition 68 on June 5th. Not only will this measure benefit birds in multiple ways, it will also build and fix parks where most needed, provide clean water, ensure natural resources protection, and help California address the impacts of climate change. Let us know that you're a YES on Prop 68.
Robert Snow, president of the Fresno Audubon Society, argues in the Fresno Bee that Proposition 68 is a smart investment in California that will benefit all of us:
The Golden State’s incredible natural treasures are woven into our identity as Californians. And that is why we always react with such outrage when these treasures are threatened by things like oil spills, development and habitat destruction.
But there is another threat that doesn’t get a lot of headlines, but is no less devastating: lack of funding. Not only does this contribute to the slow deterioration of parks and open space, but it divides our populace into those that have access to nature and those that don’t. The result is that huge swaths of Californians don’t reap the many benefits of the outdoors, and don’t form the bond with nature that drives so many of us to protect the environment.
Marcos Trinidad at the Audubon Center at Debs Park in Los Angeles and Robert Snow of Fresno Audubon make the case that Prop 68 will help fill the need for parks and park repairs in their communities and throughout California. Let us know that you're a YES on Prop. 68.
Fresno Audubon is one of more than 30 Audubon chapters supporting Proposition 68. Chapter President Robert Snow talks about how his community needs more parks so everyone can have a chance to enjoy birds and nature. Let us know that you're a YES on Prop. 68.
The Los Angeles Times goes big today with a strong endorsement of Proposition 68. Let us know that you're a YES.
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