A huge thank you to Assemblymember Ash Kalra, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Committee Chair Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, and the California Assembly Committee on Natural Resources.
On April 28, they approved our Diablo Range bill, AB 1426, by a vote of 12-1 with one abstention.
Our legislative team in Sacramento with bill co-sponsor Assemblymember Ash Kalra. Photo: Ted Clement
We are also immensely grateful to the California State Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife for voting yes by a large margin on AB 1426 several weeks ago.
We are super thankful for these large wins and the big positive message they send!
We are also extremely grateful to bill co-sponsor, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan; California State Assembly Chair of Natural Resources Committee Chair, Assemblymember Isaac G. Bryan; and California State Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife Chair, Assemblymember Diane Papen, for advancing AB 1426!
Creating a Diablo Range Program for California’s Wildlife
California condor 692 flying above Pinnacles National Park. In recent years, young California condors have made multiple flights from Pinnacles and other areas in San Benito County over the Diablo Range to the Mount Diablo region. Photo: Scott Hein
AB 1426 will establish the Diablo Range as an official California conservation priority and create a Diablo Range program within the Wildlife Conservation Board.
It has been said that the road to succeeding with California’s landmark 30×30 initiative goes straight through the Diablo Range because of several factors, but none as notable as the fact that only about 25 percent of the lands within the range are protected.
The Diablo Range is 200 miles long, covers 3.5 million acres, and runs through 12 counties, with Mount Diablo in its northernmost county of Contra Costa.
The Diablo Range is incredible wildlife habitat, teeming with biodiversity. It’s home to supporting hundreds of rare and endangered species, such as the California condor.
The range also serves as a significant wildlife corridor, with established and important migratory patterns.
Protecting the Diablo Range for Millions of People to Enjoy
Hikers enjoying nature on a beautiful spring day in Contra Costa County. Photo: Ted Clement
More than 10 million people reside in communities straddling the Diablo Range, including those within the counties of Contra Costa, Alameda, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, San Benito, Merced, Fresno, Monterey, Kings, San Luis Obispo, and Kern.
In addition to the rich biodiversity characteristics associated with the landscape, the range has also been identified as a new and untapped recreational resource to serve the growing Diablo-adjacent populations.
Elevating the Importance of the Diablo Range across the State
Tule elk at the San Antonio Valley Ecological Reserve in Santa Clara County, Diablo Range. Photo by Sean Burke
The Diablo Range program is to be housed within the Wildlife Conservation Board in partnership with the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The program is intended to elevate the biological and recreation importance of the range in meeting 30×30, Outdoors for All, and associated stewardship and fire risk reduction efforts advancing in the state.
Most people aren’t aware yet of the Diablo Range and its geography or that its extent was suggested by the California Geological Survey and first established by the Board on Geographic Names on May 15, 1908. AB 1426 helps familiarize the legislature and public with the Diablo Range’s established boundaries.
Our recent California Assembly Committee victories are important and concrete steps forward, with more steps to come. Thanks to all who have been helping with this important legislation in various ways.
Next, AB 1426 will be considered by the California Assembly Appropriations Committee in May. Please send a quick and easy email in support of AB 1426 to Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, Chair of the Appropriations Committee!
The Save Mount Diablo legislative team in Sacramento
