On Friday, Governor Newsom vetoed AB 2494 (Rogers), our bill to modernize the management of state-owned “demonstration forests.” Under existing law, these public lands are to be managed for “maximum sustained production” of timber products, while only “giving consideration” to other management values, like recreation, biodiversity, research, and wildfire resilience.

The Salmon River Restoration Council hosted its 32nd annual Cooperative Spring Chinook and Summer Steelhead Dive this summer. Together, volunteers, including EPIC staff, snorkeled and hiked 100 miles to survey the stretches of the Salmon River to assess the population of Spring Chinook Salmon and Summer Run Steelhead.

There are several petitions to either strengthen or weaken the Marine Protected Area network that will be decided upon by the California Fish and Game Commission this Spring. In order to achieve 30×30 on our coastal waters and prepare our beloved coastline for current and emerging stressors, advocating for more and stronger MPAs is vital. Please consider attending one of the upcoming hearings to support proposed MPAs or the strengthening of existing MPAs in your region.