Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 1268, the Outdoors for All Initiative, into law on September 29, 2026. The bill, authored by Senator Lena Gonzalez, makes equitable access to parks, public lands, and outdoor recreation a lasting state commitment.
Los Padres ForestWatch proudly sponsored the bill alongside Audubon California and GreenLatinos. Protecting public lands and helping people build meaningful relationships with them are deeply connected. The new law establishes Outdoors for All in statute and creates a long-term framework for reducing barriers to outdoor experiences, strengthening public engagement, and prioritizing underserved, disadvantaged, and low-income communities.
For us, it also builds on work we have been doing locally for years.
From Outdoor Connections to Statewide Policy
ForestWatch began expanding its community-based outdoor programming with a simple idea: people are more likely to care for places when they have meaningful opportunities to experience them.
That work grew into our Outdoor Connections program, which connects families and youth in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties with Los Padres National Forest and other nearby public lands. The program helps remove barriers by providing transportation, gear, safety education, trusted community partnerships, and welcoming experiences designed to foster confidence and belonging outdoors.
Through hikes, camping trips, snow outings, and other activities, families can explore new places, learn about the landscapes around them, and build connections that last beyond a single outing.
That experience helped shape our support for SB 1268.
“Through Outdoor Connections, we see firsthand how much it matters for people to feel welcomed, prepared, and supported when they spend time on public lands,” said Carla Mena, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs for Los Padres ForestWatch. “SB 1268 recognizes that access is an essential part of conservation and gives California a stronger, more durable framework for making those opportunities available to more communities.”
What SB 1268 Does
Outdoors for All began in 2021 as a state initiative focused on expanding access to nature and addressing disparities in who can enjoy California’s parks and public lands.
SB 1268 moves that effort from an administrative initiative into state law.
The law establishes the initiative within the California Natural Resources Agency and sets goals that include expanding equitable access to outdoor recreation spaces, identifying and reducing barriers, and directing opportunities and investments to disadvantaged and low-income communities. It also requires the agency to consult community organizations and other stakeholders, provide opportunities for public input, and report regularly to the Legislature on progress.
The law also ties outdoor access with California’s broader conservation goals, including the state’s commitment to conserve 30% of its lands and coastal waters by 2030.
For us, that connection matters. Conservation is not only about protecting landscapes. It is also about who gets to experience those places, who feels welcome there, and who has a voice in decisions about their future.
A Long-Term Commitment
We sponsored SB 1268 at a time when public-land policy is changing quickly at the federal level. Putting Outdoors for All into law provides a more durable foundation for California’s work to expand access to nature and incorporate equity into long-term conservation planning.
It also reflects what we have learned through Outdoor Connections: barriers to getting outside can be practical, financial, cultural, or simply a matter of not knowing where to begin.
Removing those barriers can mean providing a ride to a trailhead, lending gear for a first camping trip, partnering with a trusted community organization, or helping a family feel confident exploring somewhere new.
Those experiences add up. They can deepen a sense of place, strengthen relationships with nearby public lands, and help build a conservation community that better reflects the people who live across the Central Coast.
With SB 1268 now law, that principle has a permanent place in California policy. We’re grateful to Senator Lena Gonzalez, Governor Newsom, our co-sponsors, coalition partners, and the many organizations and community members who helped advance the legislation.
Learn more about ForestWatch’s Outdoor Connections program.