California stands at a critical juncture in its fight against climate change, and this November, we have a unique opportunity to shape what that will look like. Proposition 4, a $10 billion climate resilience bond is on the ballot, and its passage is crucial for the future of our state's land, water, air, and communities.
Proposition 4 is a comprehensive climate resilience bond that allocates $10 billion to help prepare Californians for the impacts of climate change. With bipartisan support, Prop 4 aims to protect our water quality, increase water supplies, prevent wildfires and reduce fire impacts, protect natural areas, and help frontline communities access safe drinking water and green space. If passed, this would be the largest investment in climate resilience in California's history.
The bond's broad scope reflects the interconnected nature of climate challenges. It addresses immediate concerns like water quality and wildfire prevention while also investing in long-term solutions such as ecosystem protection and community resilience. By tackling these issues comprehensively, Prop 4 seeks to create a more sustainable and climate-resilient California for generations to come.
As an organization dedicated to ensuring healthy waters and resilient wild fish populations in California, CalTrout strongly supports Prop 4. Here's why:
Prop 4 offers substantial benefits for California's freshwater ecosystems through strategic funding allocations. The bond supports crucial initiatives like dam removal and streamflow enhancement, addressing key challenges to river health and fish migration. Its impact is already evident in North Coast rivers, where similar previous efforts have prevented salmon extinction in the Russian River and aided population recovery across the region.
The bond's comprehensive approach includes protecting and restoring rivers, improving wildlife refuges, and enhancing wetland habitats, among other initiatives. It allocates $700 million for parks and green spaces, $300 million for water conservation on farms, and $1.2 billion for protecting natural lands. These investments will bolster the health and resilience of California's diverse freshwater ecosystems, benefiting not only wildlife but also local communities, farms, and recreational activities that rely on clean water.
California faces unprecedented climate challenges that demand immediate action. Devastating wildfires, vulnerable drinking water supplies, and extreme heat waves threaten lives, property, and ecosystems. Our iconic landscapes and wildlife, from coastal redwoods to alpine meadows, are under increasing stress from rising temperatures and shifting climate zones.
Prop 4 addresses these urgent issues with targeted investments in proven solutions, and specific funding allocations for disadvantaged and vulnerable populations. By acting now, we can protect our communities, preserve our natural resources, and build resilience against future climate impacts, safeguarding the California we cherish for generations to come.
By voting YES on Proposition 4 this November, you're supporting:
Moreover, your vote is crucial for advancing California's 30x30 commitment - a pledge to conserve 30% of the state's lands and coastal waters by 2030. As part of the coalition committed to this goal, CalTrout recognizes Prop 4's vital role in this effort. The bond's significant funding for protecting natural lands and restoring critical habitats directly contributes to this ambitious initiative, positioning California as a leader in conservation efforts.
As Californians, we have a responsibility to protect our state's natural resources and build a resilient future. Prop 4 represents a critical step forward in our fight against climate change and its impacts on our freshwater ecosystems.
This November, you have the power to make a difference. Vote YES on Proposition 4 to safeguard California's water resources, protect our communities, and preserve the natural beauty that makes our state unique.
To learn more, check out the official Proposition 4 website, the California Legislative Information website, or the California General Election Official Voter Guide.
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Peter Moyle is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology and Associate Director of the Center for Watershed Sciences, at UC Davis. He is author or co-author of more than 240 publications, including the definitive Inland Fishes of California (2002). He is co-author of the 2017 book, Floodplains: Processes and Management for Ecosystem Services. His research interests include conservation of aquatic species, habitats, and ecosystems, including salmon; ecology of fishes of the San Francisco Estuary; ecology of California stream fishes; impact of introduced aquatic organisms; and use of floodplains by fish.
Robert Lusardi is the California Trout/UC Davis Wild and Coldwater Fish Researcher focused on establishing the basis for long-term science specific to California Trout’s wild and coldwater fish initiatives. His work bridges the widening gap between academic science and applied conservation policy, ensuring that rapidly developing science informs conservation projects throughout California. Dr. Lusardi resides at the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences and works closely with Dr. Peter Moyle on numerous projects to help inform California Trout conservation policy. His recent research interests include Coho salmon on the Shasta River, the ecology of volcanic spring-fed rivers, inland trout conservation and management, and policy implications of trap and haul programs for anadromous fishes in California.
Patrick Samuel is the Conservation Program Coordinator for California Trout, a position he has held for almost two years, where he coordinates special research projects for California Trout, including the State of the Salmonids report. Prior to joining CalTrout, he worked with the Fisheries Leadership & Sustainability Forum, a non-profit that supports the eight federal regional fishery management councils around the country. Patrick got his start in fisheries as an undergraduate intern with NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources Division in Sacramento, and in his first field job as a crew member of the California Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Wild and Heritage Trout Program.