News & Commentary

California Leads the Way on Conservation and Climate

May 4, 2021 Expert BlogCaliforniaHelen O'Shea

The PUBLIC Lands Act would designate nearly 600,000 acres of new wilderness, more than 583 miles of new wild and scenic rivers and expand an existing national monument by over 100,000 acres. Protecting California’s world-famous natural heritage is the key…

Will California Save the Last Winter Run Salmon This Year?

May 3, 2021 Expert BlogCaliforniaKate Poole

California’s State Water Board can save this year’s population of endangered winter run chinook salmon eggs and fry, but they have to act now.

California Boreal & Tropical Forest Bill Secures a Major Win

April 29, 2021 Expert BlogCaliforniaJennifer Skene

California’s policymakers have sent a strong signal that the loss of intact boreal forests and threats to Indigenous rights are no longer an acceptable cost of doing business with the state.

Canadian Trade Group Opposes U.S. Anti-Deforestation Bills

April 20, 2021 Expert BlogCanada, New York, CaliforniaAnthony Swift

The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) claims that applying proposed anti-deforestation legislation in California and New York to the boreal forest would threaten its business model.

The Bay-Delta Salmon Crisis That Didn’t Have to Be

April 20, 2021 Expert BlogCaliforniaKate Poole

Enough with playing politics with the heart of California’s freshwater system. It is well past time for both the state and federal governments to update standards for salmon management in the Bay-Delta.

Killing Most Endangered Salmon Is How the Trump BiOps "Work"

April 19, 2021 Expert BlogCaliforniaDoug Obegi

While this year is shaping up to be a catastrophe for salmon in California, it is not a surprise—it was anticipated and, shockingly, authorized under the Trump Administration’s final permits (known as biological opinions, or "BiOps" for short).

CA and Feds Still Plan to Drain Reservoirs & Kill Salmon

March 29, 2021 Expert BlogCaliforniaDoug Obegi

The State and Feds must act now to increase reservoir storage and take other actions to reduce water temperatures that kill salmon and steelhead.

Chicago, a “Sweet Home” for an Endangered Bee?

March 29, 2021 Expert BlogChicago, IllinoisDaniel Raichel

The rusty patched bumblebee's appearance in Chicago underscores how one patch of native habitat can be meaningful, but what’s most needed is a network of interconnected habitat so that the bee’s populations can recover and once again thrive.

Governor Newsom Looking toward Recovery, Guided by Science

March 18, 2021 Expert BlogCaliforniaVictoria Rome

The fight against the climate crisis continues and California legislators are approaching the battle in new ways, with new coalitions. Here are some key environmental bills to watch.

California Proposes to Transition Away from Toxic Pesticides

March 9, 2021 Expert BlogCaliforniaAllison Johnson

California's proposal to update pesticide fees could offer better protections for farm workers, agricultural communities, and vulnerable ecosystems, as well as help farmers adopt more sustainable practices.

Bad News: CVP and SWP Plan to Drain CA’s Largest Reservoirs

March 1, 2021 Expert BlogCaliforniaDoug Obegi

This would kill most or nearly all the endangered winter-run Chinook salmon this year and threaten the state’s resilience to continued dry conditions.

Trump's Eleventh Hour Attacks on America's Natural Treasures

December 14, 2020 Expert BlogUnited States, Utah, Alaska, Minnesota, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, Nevada, New MexicoSharon Buccino

In his final days, President Trump is selling our public lands and waters to the highest bidder to dig, drill and mine.

Tejon Ranch Co. Sued for Breach of Conservation Agreement

December 2, 2020 Expert BlogCaliforniaJoel Reynolds

Although the litigation has been filed only as a last resort, there is no question of its necessity.

CA Rules to Save Bees From Spooky Pesticides Need More Work

October 27, 2020 Expert BlogCaliforniaDaniel Raichel

As other nations act (and the Trump administration dithers) on restrictions to protect bees, birds, fish, and water supplies from neurotoxic neonicotinoid insecticides (AKA, “neonics”), California once again finds itself in the position of trailblazer.

Nature Thrives with Diversity; California's Food Systems Can, Too

October 22, 2020 Expert BlogCaliforniaArohi Sharma

Our decisionmakers need to think long-term and tie economic recovery with support for our small- and mid-sized farmers, our essential workers, and climate-smart agriculture programs.

Local Leaders Are Failing to Protect L.A.’s Water

October 20, 2020 Expert BlogLos AngelesCorinne Bell

Every day, an estimated 100 million gallons of runoff contaminated with various pollutants flows through L.A.’s massive storm drain system to foul our rivers, creeks and, ultimately, our coastal waters.

The Fight for Access to Nature in Central Orange County

October 6, 2020 Expert BlogCaliforniaDamon Nagami

Willowick is the last remaining large piece of public open space in central Orange County.

Raising Shasta Dam Is an Even Worse Idea Than We Knew

October 5, 2020 Expert BlogCaliforniaDoug Obegi

The Trump Administration’s efforts to enlarge Shasta Dam was always a bad idea. In addition to being illegal under California law, it’s been clear for years that raising the height of the dam would destroy Native American sacred sites, harm…

The Big Muddy River’s Long, Turbulent Relationship with Coal

August 14, 2020 DispatchIllinoisSusan Cosier

As a proposal threatens to dump mining waste into a Mississippi River tributary, an Illinois community reassesses its coal industry ties.

Offshore Wind: The Missing Link in California’s Energy Mix?

July 29, 2020 Expert BlogCaliforniaSergio Sanchez Lopez

As a renewable source, offshore wind can help California to solve its carbon reduction puzzle. However, its development has a unique set of challenges—environmental, regulatory and economic.