Damon Nagami Appointed to CA Wildlife Conservation Board

Congratulations to my friend and colleague Damon Nagami, director of NRDC's Southern California Ecosystems Project, for being appointed to the California Wildlife Conservation Board by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. Damon has been working to protect wildlife habitat and increase access to nature for low-income communities of color for more than 13 years at NRDC.

In making this appointment, Speaker Rendon said, “I’m beyond happy to have a chance to name someone of Damon Nagami’s caliber to the Wildlife Conservation Board. This is a key piece of our state’s work to protect the environment for all Californians and I know Damon is eager to lend his skills and knowledge.”

We’re fortunate here in the Golden State to have an independent Wildlife Conservation Board that’s charged with the important tasks of restoring and enhancing California’s spectacular natural resources for wildlife and for the public’s use and enjoyment. The Board’s three main functions of acquiring land, restoring wildlife habitat, and developing wildlife-oriented public access are critically important to addressing the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. These priorities should position the Board to have an outsized role in advancing Governor Newsom’s executive order to protect 30% of the state’s lands, oceans, and waters by 2030.

This appointment is a great fit for Damon, as I know he enjoys working with a wide and diverse range of coalition partners, scientific experts, and grassroots groups to find solutions. He will bring this collaborative spirit and his years of expertise to the Board. Speaker Rendon obviously agrees and made a fantastic choice in appointing Damon. California is the most biodiverse state in the U.S. and in one of the most biodiverse regions of the world. Damon’s appointment to this important body will help protect this richness for all of us to enjoy into the future.