As 2025 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the progress we have made together to protect the Central Coast. From Sacramento to Washington, D.C, your calls to action have turned into lasting victories! Here is a list of our top accomplishments this year.
“Our state symbols celebrate California’s uniqueness, especially our distinctive ecosystems. California is a global biodiversity hotspot, with both the highest total number of species and the highest number of endemic species in the United States – including our new state shrub and snake.”
– Governor Gavin Newsom
California’s First-Ever Official State Shrub: Bigberry Manzanita
We are grateful for all the advocates who took part in the campaign to make the Bigberry Manzanita the official state shrub. This is ForestWatch’s first state—sponsored bill! We are thankful to the California Chaparral Institute for helping us champion this effort. In October, Arctostaphylos glauca (bigberry manzanita) was signed into law as the official state shrub, shining a spotlight on the majestic chaparral ecosystem that defines our region and supports wildlife like pollinators and ground mammals in the Los Padres. To read more on this effort, click here.
Central Coast Heritage Protection Act Reintroduction
Bipartisan local and regional support was built around H.R. 4877, the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act. This landmark bill would designate nearly 250,000 acres of new and expanded wilderness, scenic areas, and wild and scenic rivers across Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument. Thank you to Rep. Carbajal for sponsoring the bill and to our local Rep. Brownley and Rep. Panetta for co-sponsoring it. To read more on the reintroduction event, click here.
Every Kid Outdoors Reauthorization Act
We joined more than 50 local and national partners to champion H.R. 5541, the Every Kid Outdoors Reauthorization Act. The bill builds on the success of the Every Kid Outdoors program for 4th graders and expands eligibility. The bill calls to make the program permanent, opening the doors for students to experience the outdoors for the first time. Our Outdoor Connections program closely mirrors some of the core principles of the Every Kid Outdoors program. To read more about our program, click here.
Voluntary Grazing Permit Retirement Act
In October, Rep. Smith introduced H.R. 5785, the Voluntary Grazing Permit Retirement Act, a market-based solution that allows ranchers to permanently retire grazing permits on public lands in exchange for fair compensation. We proudly endorse this bill alongside the Sierra Club, the Center for Biological Diversity, Wilderness Watch, and many more. Click here to read more about this bill and lend support.
“This bill gives ranchers and conservation partners a fair, voluntary path to resolve long-standing conflicts and restore fragile ecosystems. It’s a pragmatic solution that supports local economies, protects biodiversity, and saves taxpayer dollars by reducing the cost of administering grazing programs.”
- Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.)
Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act
The highly anticipated (H.R. 3874/ S. 1870) Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act was reintroduced early this year and has since then advanced through Senate Committee hearings this month. The bill aims to expand the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to create vital wildlife linkages. We strongly endorse this bill given it complements our efforts on habitat connectivity in the Central Coast region.
Thank you!
None of this would have been possible without your participation and engagement. Stay tuned to see how these bills progress in the coming year. Here’s to many more victories ahead!