California Voters Said Yes to Prop 4, a Win for Birds, People, and Our Shared Future
Consistent advocacy work across Audubon's community helped make this important public investment happen.
Thanks to bird advocates and environmental champions across the state like you, California voters passed Proposition 4, the largest public investment dedicated to climate resilience in the state’s history! This momentous victory will ensure that California has the resources we all need to fight the growing threats of climate change.
With over 58% of the vote (and still counting), Californians overwhelmingly voted for a cleaner, healthier, more vibrant state, through new investments in a wide variety of proven climate change solutions. For those of us in the Audubon movement, this translates to habitat protection, water conservation, coastal resilience, and restoration—all of which are vital to helping birds, and our communities, thrive well into the future.
We are incredibly proud that our Audubon network played a role in making this historic moment a reality. Audubon California was an early part of the coalition of conservation and environmental organizations that advocated for this measure to be placed on the ballot. Our community came together and took action, signing pledges, sharing emails, and engaging on social media. Audubon chapters throughout the state endorsed Prop. 4 and encouraged their members to get out the vote. And, most importantly, Audubon members and supporters turned out to drive this victory at the ballot box. Once again, our network made a difference.
Birds and people benefit
Prop. 4 is going to contribute much-needed funding into key areas for birds in California. Perhaps none of these is as urgent as the Salton Sea, where water diversions have reduced habitat for sensitive species such as Eared Grebes, Ruddy Ducks, and California Black Rails, while sending clouds of toxic dust into the air, threatening nearby communities. Now this area will see an additional $170 million in funding for restoration and dust control projects that will create habitat and protect public health.
In the Central Valley, where we have fought for years for water for wildlife refuges, Prop 4 will direct millions of dollars for water conservation and habitat restoration. This will have an immediate impact for birds that migrate along the Pacific Flyway, such as the Northern Pintail and Greater White-Fronted Goose.
Coastal habitat for birds such as the Western Snowy Plover and the California Least Tern has also long been a priority for Audubon California and local Audubon chapters. The billions that will be invested on coastal resilience and habitat will help ensure a future for these birds.
Audubon California has long prioritized expanding access to nature and its benefits for underserved communities, particularly through our work at our centers and sanctuaries. We’re proud that Prop 4 includes a requirement that at least 40% of its funding go to lower-income and climate-vulnerable communities. Many of these communities have not received funding from past bond efforts, so this is finally an opportunity to make an investment in everyone’s future. We know these benefits not only help communities that need it the most, but will create more habitat, open space, and climate resilience that will benefit birds and other wildlife.
Next Up: Building A Better California
Californians coming together around Prop. 4 is a promising sign for the road ahead. We took this important step together, to protect our beautiful state’s unique landscapes and communities, and to make a better place for birds, people, and our shared future.
Now, the real work begins. We look forward to the work ahead to put this funding to its best use to protect birds and the places they need to survive, and to support the communities best positioned to address the challenges of climate change into the future. Over the next several years, Audubon California will continue to ensure our science, programs, and your voices are represented in the decisions that matter. First up, we’ll be taking a close look at the state budget that will be released by Governor Newsom in January and advocating for the investments we know that birds and people need.
Join us on this journey and stay in the know about future opportunities to take action for birds and habitats.
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Read the letter from our CEO about how we'll navigate the impacts of a new administration
"We understand that this news may feel daunting, but it also strengthens our resolve to fight for what we know is right: the preservation of our natural world for birds—and for all of us..."