Sacramento, California – Audubon California looks forward to engaging in meaningful work and dialogue this 2025 legislative session to help reverse the downward trend of our bird populations. Priorities this session include:
- Strengthening wetlands protections.
- Enhancing legal protections for bird species in the state.
- Advocating for a state budget that puts our habitats and climate resilience at the forefront.
The Climate Bond, also known as Prop 4, was passed last November with the support of the majority of Californians. The proposition will provide $10 Billion dollars in funding to safeguard drinking water, combat wildfires, protect natural lands, and improve community resiliency against natural disasters. This funding will directly translate to habitat protection, water conservation, and coastal resiliency, all issues which Audubon cares deeply about. California’s state budget proposal has allocated approximately $2.6 billion, with the rest to be scheduled after engagement with the Legislature on an expenditure plan. We hope to see Prop 4 dollars fund additional nature-based climate solutions rather than backfilling any department shortfalls.
Last session, with your collective help and efforts, we were able to get SB 583, the Salton Sea Conservancy, signed into law. Now, we are continuing the fight and ensuring that this new conservancy is effective and remains inclusive as intended. Ensuring a sustainable future for the Sea requires active participation from communities throughout the region, who must have a voice in planning projects that impact them. The Conservancy will coordinate initiatives to protect public health while providing critical habitat for shorebirds and shallow-feeding ducks, safeguarding a vital ecosystem for millions of birds.
A quick look at some of the priority bills Audubon California is sponsoring this session:
AB 454 (Kalra, 2025) California Migratory Bird Protection Act: Removes the sunset date of the California Migratory Bird Protection Act, making California protections indefinite and enshrined in State law.
AB 929 (Connolly, 2025) Sustainable Groundwater management: Managed Wetlands: exempts managed Wetlands and small community drinking wells from Groundwater Sustainability Plans under SGMA. Additionally, also prohibits fees from being imposed on managed wetlands and small community drinking wells.
SB 427 (Blakespear, 2025) Protecting the Habitat Conservation Fund: Securing ongoing funding for critical habitat conservation: Removes the sunset date of July 1, 2030 on the Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF). (Co-sponsored by Audubon California and the National Wildlife Federation).
Stay Engaged: Audubon California will be busy working behind the scenes and keeping a close watch on these bills. Sign up to stay in the know and be the first to hear of any actions on these conservation priorities. If you or any partner organization would like to write a letter in support, please do so and submit in the California Advocacy Portal.
