We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Rob Caughlan—a longtime ally of the Resource Renewal Institute, first president of the Surfrider Foundation, and a tireless protector of the California coast.

Clean water protections nationwide are under threat. Earlier this week, RRI joined clean water, environmental justice, public health, and conservation organizations from across California in urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to withdraw its newly proposed rule redefining “Waters of the United States.”

Like seeds planted in the soil, many of RRI’s long-term efforts—to restore damaged ecosystems, support farmers through transition, reform public policy, and build new models for climate resilience—have required persistence, care, and enduring partnerships. We’re excited to report that 2025 saw many of our programs take root and bear fruit.

The Trump administration is pushing forward one of the most aggressive offshore drilling proposals in U.S. history—threatening over 1.27 billion acres of ocean waters with expanded oil and gas leasing. From the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico and across nearly the entire California coastline, no region is safe under this plan.

Two last-minute “trailer bills” expected to fast-track the Delta Conveyance Project and weaken public review of the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan were stopped in their tracks. These measures would have sidelined Tribes, erased environmental protections, and given a blank check to corporate water contractors.

Last week, we joined advocates at the Capitol for Lobby Day to stand against two budget bills that put California’s water and ecosystems at risk, while disempowering communities and weakening long-standing environmental protections.

We at RRI are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend Malcolm Margolin. A brilliant publisher, master storyteller, and longtime ally, Malcolm’s connection to our founder, Huey Johnson, runs deep. Their friendship stretches back to when Huey awarded Malcolm a grant to write his very first book, sparking the extraordinary journey that became Heyday Books.

Last week, our Director of Advocacy, Scott Webb, joined over 100 advocates at the State Capitol for a full day of legislative action with the Green California Network. We met policymakers, amplified environmental priorities, and advocated for our ocean, communities, and climate.

This summer, I had the opportunity to join RRI as a communication intern through an Environmental Policy, Communication, and Research Internship course. I mainly participated in learning about RRI’s various works on initiatives like California’s Pathways to 30x30, which connects ecological goals with community action.

On July 21, 2025, we joined a coalition of environmental organizations in sending a letter to Congress strongly opposing the proposed rewriting of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) introduced by Rep. Begich (R-AK). This bill threatens to unravel one of the most successful conservation policies in U.S. history.

We joined 77 leading environmental organizations to submit strong comments to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), urging the Department of the Interior to halt the development of a new offshore oil and gas leasing program. The current program does not expire until 2029, and we believe resources would be better spent advancing renewable energy solutions and improving safety and environmental protections for existing fossil fuel operations.

RRI and 40 marine groups oppose reconciliation bill mandating 30 offshore lease sales while gutting NOAA funding and weakening marine wildlife protections.

Leaders of the Legislative Delta Caucus and statewide organizations stood united together today during a press conference to denounce Governor Newsom’s budget proposal to fast-track the Delta Tunnel Project and encourage fellow legislators to oppose any plan to accelerate construction of the $20 billion-plus, destructive tunnel. The project is receiving widespread opposition from leaders throughout the state, especially those in the Delta whose 4 million residents would be most directly impacted. Here’s what they are saying:

The Power in Nature Coalition released the following statements regarding Governor Newsom’s revised 2025-2026 budget revision.

Please join us for Power in Nature’s upcoming webinar, Elk on the North Coast, this Monday, May 19, at 2:00 PM.

Hear from Carrington Hilson, Elk Research Biologist with California Department of Fish & Wildlife, and Chance Cutrano, our Director of Programs and co-lead for Power in Nature’s Bay Area Region.

This month, we joined dozens of environmental, agricultural, public health, and tribal organizations across the state in calling on Governor Newsom and the California Legislature to prioritize nature-based solutions in the state’s climate investment strategy. In a letter addressed to state leaders, we urged a significant and sustained allocation of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) revenues to California’s natural, working, and urban lands—landscapes that are among the state’s most powerful yet underfunded tools in the fight against climate change.

We are proud to join a broad coalition of public health, environmental justice, and community organizations in strong support of AB 794 (Gabriel)—a bill that would provide urgently needed protections from PFAS, the toxic “forever chemicals” that continue to contaminate drinking water for millions of Californians. Access to clean, safe drinking water is not just essential to life—it’s a basic human right. AB 794 reaffirms this principle by requiring the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to adopt enforceable limits for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in California drinking water.

Resource Renewal Institute and Oceana are joining forces to co-sponsor a state assembly bill that will bring greater protection to coastal marine wildlife.

We’ve joined dozens of animal welfare, environmental, and tribal advocacy organizations in formally opposing Assembly Bill 1038—a bill that threatens to undo one of California’s most significant wildlife protections by reinstating the inhumane practice of hounding bears.

The sun shined brightly on our gathering to honor our founder, friend and mentor, Huey Johnson. January 6, 2025, would have been Huey’s 92nd birthday, and we took the opportunity to reflect on his remarkable life and contributions that guide our path every day.