Urban Wildlands — Center for Biological Diversity

We applaud state officials for granting endangered species protections to imperiled pumas. Let's now work on a recovery plan to prevent local extinction!

In a way yes, state law prohibits hunting. But Endangered Species Act protections go further, by providing legal mandate for all state agencies to protect pumas. This could mean more resources and a better roadmap towards species recovery.

Today's vote to give six CA mountain lion populations Endangered Species Act protections shows that conservation work takes time, effort and widespread support.

But boy is it worth it!

Huge win for California mountain lions: Today they were granted protection under the state #EndangeredSpeciesAct 🙌🐾

Now, six populations within Southern #California and the Central Coast will receive much-needed protections under the Act.

More info on this win for the wild ➡️ bit.ly/4tzC4FI

Caged by concrete, killed by cars: California moves to save coastal mountain lions from extinction Isolated by freeways and cities, coastal mountain lions risk inbreeding to extinction. The state just gave them new protections.

Tiffany Yap, science director at @biologicaldiversity.org explains to @calmatters.org why today’s vote is so important. “These populations are facing an extinction vortex. We need these protections to get more connectivity on our roads.” calmatters.org/environment/...

Breaking: The California Fish and Game Commission voted to protect mountain lions from the Bay Area to the Mexico border. This is fantastic news for the imperiled puma populations!
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...

Important news this wk on mtn lions.

A CA commission is set to vote on declaring SoCal & Central Coast pumas threated under the state Endangered Species Act. This could be a new chapter for the beleagured cats.

Find out mtg deets, how to comment on Thurs.
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...

Land trust buys scenic Bay Area ranch, halting controversial plan for a quarry One of the South Bay’s largest remaining private rural properties will be protected from new development — and plans for a quarry will be scrapped.

Fantastic news!

For years, Tribal members, neighbors & nature lovers have voiced concerns about the proposed 400+ acre mining operating. Now the land, a sacred Amah Mutsun Tribal Band site, is permanently protected.

@kurtisalexander.bsky.social reports.
www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

Tiffany Yap, our Urban Wildlands Science Director, was quoted by the @sfchronicle.com saying:

“We can coexist. We have incredible biodiversity. We have coyotes. We have native butterflies. We have so much life, and we can do more to support it with our parks and green space.” ⬇️

S.F. mountain lion tranquilized, will be released into wild San Francisco officials have apprehended a young mountain lion that had been roaming an area near Lafayette Park for the last 30 hours.

Even in a big city like San Francisco, there's wildlife all around us. Here's to keeping California wild for this mountain lion and other species!
www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/m...

Baby mountain lion found with 'concerning' injuries in middle of L.A. County roadway Officials have captured a juvenile mountain lion that was spotted injured in the middle of a thoroughfare in Castaic.

CA officials will soon consider giving permanent protections to Central Coast & Socal pumas. We hope they make the right call so we can get more wildlife crossings and make our iconic landscapes more wildlife friendly.
www.latimes.com/california/s...

We have wonderful news to share!

The CA Dept. Fish & Wildlife is recommending that pumas from Bay Area & Central Coast and SoCal received state Endangered Species Act protections.
The @biologicaldiversity.org petitioned to protect these majestic cats.

biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...

For nearly two decades the Center has used its voice to speak on behalf of wild places, endangered species, clean water and clean air, working to protect California's great biological diversity and dynamic ecosystems and helping keep the state the extraordinary place that we all want it to be.

The California Environmental Quality Act is being attacked by special interest groups and lawmakers, including Gov. Newsom.

But what actually is CEQA and what does it do? Here we bust some myths.

This tiny mouse is only found in Orange and San Diego counties.
Read on to learn more about why the Pacific pocket mouse deserves more protections.
fox5sandiego.com/news/pacific...

We're calling on Calif. Fish & Game Commission to protect the western spadefoot.

These frogs were once common in CA but their habitat is under threat. Spadefoots rely on vernal pools but unfortunately these seasonal wetlands are under development pressure.
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...

We've reached an agreement with a Coachella Valley warehouse developer to bring rooftop solar & EV infrastructure to a Thousand Palms project.
This is a big improvement from the original project, which would have brought 500 diesel truck trips a day to area.
biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...

Guest commentary: Central Coast has much to lose if CEQA rollbacks stay If S.B. 131 is left unchanged, we’ll also see unchecked development on endangered species habitat at a time when the environment is already under attack from a hostile Trump administration.

CEQA has taken a beating this year from politicians like @governor.ca.gov and @scottwiener.bsky.social. But the more we exempt CEQA for pet projects, the more likely it is we’ll lose the open landscapes and amazing biodiversity the law was meant to protect.
www.montereyherald.com/2025/09/10/g...

Let’s seize opportunity to fix CEQA - Capitol Weekly OPINION – Sacramento gets a bad rap for its slow bureaucracy. But when it comes to dismantling environmental protections, it can operate at lightning speed.

CA legislators this wk could consider a trailer bill to #FixSB131, a dangerous piece of legislation that gives a free pass to manufacturing projects and development on endangered species habitat.

Let's hope our officials make the right call and protect #CEQA.
capitolweekly.net/lets-seize-o...

Californians, we need you to call Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire at 916-651-4002, and urge him to #FixSB131.
The next 24 hours is crucial.

SB 131 opens the door to advanced manufacturing and development on endangered species habitat to skip crucial environmental review.

It's crucial lawmakers in Sacramento amend and #FixSB131 by Sept. 12, otherwise dangerous projects can be approved without the necessary environmental study.

Read more on how SB 131 harms endangered species habitat.
biologicaldiversity.org/programs/urb...

Californians, we need your help!
Call Assembly Speaker Rivas 916-319-2029 to #FixSB131.
This bill allows advanced manufacturing projects & development on endangered species habitat to skip environmental review.
Tell Assembly leadership we need science-based review on potentially harmful projects.

Newsom says California needs to build a water tunnel. Opponents argue costs are too high Gov. Gavin Newsom is pushing his proposal for a 45-mile water tunnel beneath California's Delta, saying it's vital for the state. Opponents argue the cost to ratepayers would be excessive.

Gov. Newsom is pushing to build a water tunnel in the Delta. A new state report calls it the “single most effective” action to adapt the water system to climate change. Opponents are touting a new analysis that says the costs would be much higher than state estimates. www.latimes.com/environment/...

When projects on wildlife corridors violate state law, we sue. Read more about our latest lawsuit against Twentynine Palms.

There goes the neighborhood: AI data centers are moving in OPINION: “Big Tech companies are forcing us to live with new technologies… but these innovations mean nothing if we let the digital world destroy the natural world.”

Whether we like it or not, AI has snuck their way into our phones and lives. The data centers that support AI are loud, polluting operations that use an enormous amount of water to cool servers. Worst part is, we subsidize them with higher electricity bills.

www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/open...

This luxury glamping resort just outside of Joshua Tree National Park is a bad idea.

We want visitors to enjoy the great outdoors but not if it destroys precious desert tortoise habitat and wildlife corridor. That's why we're suing. biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press...

Lawmakers are back in Sacramento.
Their 1st action should be to amend SB131.
This trailer bill allows advanced manufacturing projects and development on endangered species habitat to be approved WITHOUT environmental study.

Tell your reps to #FixSB131
sites.biologicaldiversity.org/california-e...

Legislators return to Sacramento next week from summer recess. They should quickly work to #fixSB131.

@asmnickschultz.bsky.social

@ib2real.bsky.social

@asmmarkgonzalez.bsky.social

@carolinemenjivar.bsky.social

@senatorsrp.bsky.social

@scottwiener.bsky.social

@caspeakerrivas.bsky.social

Question for Californians:

DYK lawmakers quietly passed S.B. 131, which would allow development on endangered species habitat and advanced manufacturing facilities to skip environmental review?

Tell your representative that when they get back from recess next week they need to FIX S.B. 131.

We've secured conservation for 3,700+ acres in Lake County as part of the Guenoc Valley project agreement. That's permanent protection for habitat of western pond turtles and other wildlife. Read ahead to learn about other climate measures in the pact.
lakeconews.com/news/82335-e...
📸: Rick Swart