Today, California’s lands, climate, waters and wildlife face major challenges. These issues are also unique opportunities to make progress on what Californians care about most. Together, we can address the wildfire crisis, protect the landscapes and wildlife that make our state special, create sustainable approaches to food and water, and scale clean energy in harmony with nature.
The Nature Conservancy is ready to partner with our state’s current and future leaders for California-sized solutions and real wins. We bring a unique combination of policy “know-how,” scientific expertise and on-the-ground implementation to drive impact at scale.
With seven decades of policy results and on-the-ground experience, we pair rigorous science with policy expertise to achieve systemic change. Our global footprint uniquely positions us to bring together partners to achieve bold conservation work in California. Our strategies are designed to deliver meaningful wins locally and to produce a livable climate, healthy communities and thriving nature that can be shared around the globe. We are both the largest capacity conservation organization focused specifically on California and the biggest conservation group in the world. We do bold things here in the place we call home and by working across the planet.
We have seen the power of bold policy firsthand—take the recent landmark $10 billion climate bond Proposition 4.
What California Voters Want
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78%
of California voters say larger and more damaging wildfires are an “extremely” or “very serious" problem for the state.
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91%
of California voters said improving water quality/supply and reducing water pollution is important.
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77%
of Californians say the condition of the ocean and coast is very important to the state’s future economy and quality of life.
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76%
of California voters support investing in nature-based climate solutions.
TNC’s unique strength lies in its unparalleled ability to bridge local, place-based conservation with large-scale, impactful policy achievements.
What We've Achieved in California Together
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1.7M+
Acres of Land Protected
Our Land Program -
9,000+
Miles of river protected
Our Water Program -
6,000+
Square miles of ocean protected
Our Ocean Program -
$28B+
for nature-based climate solutions
Our Climate Program
We're grateful to work alongside some of the world’s most conservation-aware voters and policymakers. Together, we can achieve the extraordinary—and that’s what this moment calls for.
We rely on nature for the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. The diversity and abundance of life on Earth is what keeps these systems strong. When our lands and waters can support natural abundance, the benefits to people are innumerable. Be a part of TNC’s plan to protect California, because nature’s future is our future.
California represents TNC's largest chapter, and our achievements reflect that fact. Led by Executive Director Chuck Bonham, TNC California sees our state as a living laboratory where new conservation solutions are developed and shared with the world. Since 1959, we've protected nearly 700 influential landscapes and the habitats of countless native species. We work with scientists, state and federal agencies, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, private landowners and many other partners to advance transformative conservation solutions.
TNC Has a Proven Record in Policy
California voters have shown time and again that they are invested in a future with a livable climate, healthy communities and thriving nature.
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- TNC has played a key role in shaping and passing eight statewide bonds to deliver billions in funds to shape California’s water, natural lands, wildfire and parks, delivering nearly $40 billion in conservation investments.
- This includes Prop 68 (2018) and most recently Prop 4, the historic $10 billion climate resilience bond.
- In November of 2024, California voters overwhelmingly supported the passage of the nation’s largest ever climate resilience bond. TNC is proud to have sponsored this effort in the Legislature and to have led the Prop 4 campaign in collaboration with a diverse set of partners to secure critical climate investments. Prop 4 provides dedicated funding to prevent devastating wildfires; provide clean, safe drinking water; protect the air we breathe; and preserve our iconic lands and waters and rich biodiversity. These urgent investments in proven solutions will protect our communities, health and economy. TNC is now focused on implementing Prop 4, working closely with legislators and key decision makers to ensure these investments provide the maximum benefit for all Californians.
- TNC has played a key role in shaping and passing eight statewide bonds to deliver billions in funds to shape California’s water, natural lands, wildfire and parks, delivering nearly $40 billion in conservation investments.
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- In 2006, TNC played a key role in establishing California’s first Cap-and-Trade Program through Assembly Bill 32. The program is a key strategy to cost-effectively reduce GHG emissions over time. By using economic incentives, the program complements other measures the State uses to reach our climate goals.
- In 2025, TNC worked with the Legislature and Governor’s Office to advocate for the immediate reauthorization of the program through 2045.
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- In 2022 TNC helped pass the country’s most comprehensive legislation:
- Mandates a 25% reduction in single-use plastic production.
- Protects and restores lands, waters and communities most impacted by plastic pollution by requiring producers to pay $5 billion into an environmental mitigation fund.
- Holds producers financially responsible for improving California’s recycling and composting infrastructure.
- Applying the lessons learned from this process, we will continue to pursue comprehensive policies across other major sectors of plastic use in California and work to incentivize plastic-heavy industries to advance innovative solutions to reduce plastic use at the source.
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- TNC secured $1 billion for wildfire resilience in 2020. We are working with partners to create sustained funding for the state to execute its wildfire strategy and break out of the cycle of crisis.
- TNC created the Prescribed Fire Liability Pilot Program to support coverage for losses from permitted prescribed fires by individuals and private entities and secured $20 million in appropriations for the fund in the 2021 budget. These actions will signal that California supports the prescribed fire community while assisting in the recruitment of qualified burners.
- In 2025, TNC and Willis launched a first-of-its-kind wildfire resilience insurance, which takes into account efforts to mitigate fire risk. The wildfire resilience insurance policy was developed and placed to demonstrate lower premium pricing and improved availability where ecological forest practices have taken place. Such techniques include tree thinning to improve the health and growth of the remaining trees and planned fires to clear out flammable vegetation, both proven to reduce wildfire risk and make forests healthier.
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- TNC helped to pass the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (2014) and has been actively working to carry out its intent.
- California has historically struggled to address groundwater management. This effort led the way by requiring that nature and ecosystems be considered in groundwater management decisions.
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