Assembly Bill 2196 codifies the state’s new Beaver Restoration Program.
SACRAMENTO – Unanimous votes of both the California State Assembly and Senate propelled Assembly Bill 2196 to the Governor’s desk, and last night Gavin Newsom signed the legislation. This successful effort follows more than a year of strategic advocacy by Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, the bill’s sponsor, dozens of organizational and tribal partners, and, importantly, the bill’s author, Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael).
AB 2196 codifies California’s new Beaver Restoration Program at the California Department of Fish & Wildlife. The program, initiated by an act of the state budget in 2022, works with tribes, NGOs, private landowners, and others to implement coexistence and other beaver-assisted restoration projects to promote habitat restoration and climate change resiliency. Program staff are developing a first-ever Beaver Management Plan for the state of California (one of three in the nation). By codifying it into statute, AB 2196 helps ensure the longevity of the beaver restoration program and signals a more lasting commitment to California’s appreciation and stewardship of the keystone species. AB 2196 also establishes important findings that document beaver history and native status in the state and strong evidence of the benefits to the environment and habitats associated with restoring beavers.
“California is bringing beaver back, and we’re thrilled that our state leaders so thoroughly support this effort! We are immensely grateful to Assemblymember Connolly for his leadership to codify the program created by Governor Newsom’s administration in 2022,” said Kate Lundquist, Co-Director of the WATER Institute at the Occidental Arts & Ecology Center. “The collaborative momentum between state officials, tribal leaders, nonprofits, and local governments is truly inspiring and will provide an innovative blueprint for other states to follow.”
The Beaver Restoration Program works with tribes, non-governmental organizations, private landowners, and other agencies to implement beaver-assisted restoration projects that support ecosystem conservation, habitat restoration, and species conservation and improve climate change, drought, and wildfire resilience throughout California.
“Beavers are an instrumental keystone species to our ecosystems, and they play a vital role in maintaining and engineering habitats that have widespread environmental and climate benefits,” said Assemblymember Connolly. “AB 2196 codifies the Beaver Restoration Program in statute and ensures this important species continues to play a role in meeting our climate goals. I’m proud that this bill is supported by nearly fifty environmental protection, conservation, wildlife advocacy, sustainable agriculture, and other science-based organizations.”
Comments from other supporters:
“AB 2196 represents an important step forward for freshwater and fisheries restoration practices in California,” said Redgie Collins, Legal and Policy Director, CalTrout. “Our native salmon and trout are adapted to coexist with beaver which slow, spread and cool water. Beaver are a nature-based solution that benefit fish, water supplies, and people.”
“As an organization that was founded to protect our water resources and communities that depend on them, Clean Water supports AB 2196,” said Andria Ventura, Legislative and Policy Director for Clean Water Action & Clean Water Fund. “Beaver in their natural habitat bring multiple environmental benefits, including restoration of essential wetlands and subsequent improvements to water quality and storage so necessary in this time of drought and climate change. Restoring beaver in California in a commonsense manner protects not only this keystone species but landowners as well. This bill goes way beyond just preserving wildlife. It has very human implications as well.”
“Beavers have long been recognized as fundamental to creating and preserving healthy habitat,” said Ashley Eagle-Gibbs, Executive Director of the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin. “AB 2196 opens the door for the science-based management of this species. This is consistent with our state’s 30×30 goals, helps contribute to wildfire mitigation strategies, and preserves water-rich ecosystems for the benefit of wildlife and humans alike. The Environmental Action Committee of West Marin supports the bill including supporting partnerships with California Native American tribes and nonprofit organizations. We are excited to see beaver reintroduction moving forward in California, and we thank Assemblymember Connolly for his leadership on this important issue.”
“As the former Deputy Director of the State Department of Water Resources, I know that beaver-supplied water storage in their dams in the Sierra will help meter water out slowly, which is just what we need to get through dry summer months,” said Gerald Meral, Ph.D. Director, California Water Programs, Natural Heritage Institute. “Many thanks to Assemblymember Connolly for recognizing the importance of beavers.”
“With this bill, California will take the lead in holistically restoring landscapes,” said Adam Burnett, executive director of Beaver Institute. “As the multiplex of benefits that beavers provide are increasingly recognized and embraced, there is a need for legislative and financial support to ensure science-driven and technically sound restoration and coexistence. AB 2196 would realize this need while making significant impacts on entire ecosystems – as it’s not just about beavers but the wellbeing of all living things.”
“Beaver dams benefit many threatened and endangered species native to California, including coho salmon and steelhead,” said Audrey Fusco, Program Director for the Salmon Protection and Watershed Network of Turtle Island Restoration Network. “Beaver ponds help store cool water for the summer and the ponds store groundwater, which encourages growth of the riparian vegetation that keeps water temperatures cool. The benefits that beavers provide will likely take on even more importance as the impacts of climate change and climate uncertainty become increasingly felt in California. We thank Assemblymember Connolly for supporting beaver reintroduction in California.”
