Progress Made Together for Birds and Wildlife: 2025 Policy Roundup

This year, Audubon supporters across the state mobilized to strengthen protections for California’s most sensitive birds, habitats, and communities. Our community chapters in key districts called their lawmakers, and supporters sent nearly 15,000 letters urging action on Audubon-sponsored and supported legislation. Thanks to that advocacy and the leadership of champions in the Legislature, several important bills are now on the Governor’s desk to be considered for signing within the next few weeks.

AB 454: Making Migratory Bird Protections Permanent 

Hundreds of bird species rely on California’s habitats during their journeys along the Pacific Flyway. From raptors like the Swainson’s Hawk to shorebirds such as the Western Sandpiper, millions of birds depend on California each year.

For over a century, the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) provided essential protection for these species, guiding safer industrial practices and helping them recover after disasters, like the Exxon Valdez oil spill. But when federal protections were weakened in 2018, California stepped up with its own law, the California Migratory Bird Protection Act, to ensure state safeguards would remain strong if federal laws fell short.

That state law, however, had a “sunset” clause and automatically expired earlier this year. Assembly Bill 454 makes California’s commitment permanent. With its passage through the Legislature, it now awaits the Governor’s signature.

AB 1319: Strengthening the California Endangered Species Act

California’s Endangered Species Act (CESA) provides a vital safety net when federal protections fall short. Assembly Bill 1319   provides a way for California to quickly protect sensitive species that are currently listed under the federal ESA if federal protections are weakened. AB 1319 passed the Legislature and has gone to the Governor for signature. This is a major step forward for biodiversity and resilience.

SB 427: Extending the Habitat Conservation Fund

Wildlife needs healthy, connected places to thrive. Senate Bill 427 extends the Habitat Conservation Fund through 2035, continuing its legacy of protecting and managing more than 1.2 million acres of habitat and ensuring that California invests in acquiring, restoring, and enhancing landscapes for another decade. The program has funded hundreds of projects that support California’s incredible biodiversity, including the world’s largest wildlife crossing over Highway 101 in Agoura Hills, a new trails gateway into Redwood National and State Parks, and an ancestral land-return project in San Bernardino County.   SB 427 has passed the Legislature and is now on the Governor’s desk.

AB 929: Protecting Wetlands and Waterfowl Habitat

California’s Central Valley has lost over 95% of its native wetlands and much of the wetland habitat that remains is intensively managed and depends on groundwater.  Assembly Bill 929 would keep wetlands exempt from California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, securing critical water supplies for birds like the Northern Shoveler, as well as other wildlife and communities, while protecting some of the Central Valley’s last remaining wetlands. AB 929 passed the Assembly with bipartisan support but has been converted into a two-year bill that will be taken up again when the Legislature reconvenes in January.

Defending CEQA

We are also grateful to chapters and advocates who rallied last-minute to defend the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a cornerstone law that protects birds, wildlife, and communities from harmful development. Although necessary fixes to Senate Bill 131 did not move forward this year, Audubon is already working to support Assembly Bill 1083, introduced by Assemblymember Damon Connolly, for January of next year. This new bill fixes the most troubling changes to CEQA, by restoring protections for sensitive wildlife habitat and removing the exemption for “advanced manufacturing”.

This year’s progress underscores what’s possible when Californians raise their voices for nature. Looking ahead, AB 454, AB 1319, and SB 427 now move to the Governor’s desk, where they have the opportunity to be signed into law and provide lasting protections for birds, wildlife, and communities.

We are grateful to our supporters, community chapters, and coalition partners for helping make this progress possible. Be among the first to learn about new opportunities to take action by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on social media for updates, action alerts, and stories about conservation progress across California.