Millions of people who hike, hunt, fish, and find peace on our shared lands have a stake in this decision. RRI and 153 partner groups are urging the Senate to reject Stevan Pearce’s nomination to lead the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). His record favors selling off public lands and elevating oil and gas interests over communities, wildlife, and the places we love.

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.

Standing room only, and our first film night sold out! Thank you to everyone who joined us for an inspiring evening dedicated to mountain lion conservation. We screened Tailless: A Journey to Save Chile's Pumas by Daniel Dietrich and The Path of Puma-36 by Ami Bluestone, followed by a rich, insightful panel discussion on mountain lion behavior, habitat protection, and coexistence strategies here in Marin and around the world.

Written by Caspar von Alvensleben. “Over the past semester, I have interned with RRI, working on projects like social media management, website development, and broader digital media strategy.”

Despite strong opposition, California has become the first state to adopt a proactive approach to protect imperiled biodiversity amid federal rollbacks. With Governor Newsom's signature on AB 1319, threatened and endangered species in California will stay protected—even if federal safeguards are weakened or eliminated. This is more than just policy; it's a promise to the species that call California home and to the communities that depend on healthy ecosystems.

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.

Public lands are more than landscapes; they carry the stories that shape our national identity. We have joined a coalition of over 100 organizations urging Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to rescind Secretarial Order 3431, deceptively titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American 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 joined 113 groups opposing Senate amendment to sell 500,000+ acres of public lands in Nevada and Utah, including wilderness areas near Zion Park.

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.

We have joined dozens of environmental, tribal, human rights, and conservation organizations in strong opposition to a new proposal in the House Committee on Homeland Security’s budget reconciliation package that would allocate $46.5 billion for border wall construction. If passed, this proposal would more than double the amount historically spent on walls and barriers—wasting billions of taxpayer dollars, destroying critical ecosystems, and violating the rights of communities living along the U.S.–Mexico border.

On March 14, we gathered at Isbell Farms, the home of our 140-acre research site, where the generous Isbell family has hosted our project for over three years. We were excited to demonstrate our enhanced on-field operations, including our fish vacuum pump and new methane measuring devices that supplement our e-flux towers. We also introduced everyone to Lucky Catch, a prototype commercial pet treat product, and presented the first edition of the FIF Implementation Guide.

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.

Ranching operations to transition out of Point Reyes by 2026, clearing the way for conservation efforts.

An agreement signed this week by the National Park Service (NPS), environmental groups, and 18 families who have long run cattle and dairy operations at Point Reyes National Seashore ends a decade-long dispute over ranching within the national park.

The proposed Sáttítla National Monument in northeastern California represents a vital opportunity to protect one of the state’s most ecologically, culturally, and hydrologically significant regions. Often called the “headwaters of California,” Sáttítla provides fresh water to millions across the state, supporting wildlife, agriculture, and communities from the highlands to the San Francisco Bay.

For the first time in history, tule elk at Point Reyes National Seashore will roam free as the NPS removes the contentious two-mile-long fence. Learn how thousands of voices and RRI made this historic moment possible!

As we approach our40th anniversary, the RRI team is filled with pride and gratitude for the incredible journey we have undertaken together. When Huey founded his fledgling “think and do” tank in 1985, he had already built an astonishing record of environmental accomplishments.  One of these achievements—saving the Marin Headlands—was honored this year by the National Park Service (NPS).

RRI and a coalition of over 50 conservation organizations sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom and key California legislators strongly opposing the proposed reversion of $45 million in General Funds from the Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF) back to the General Fund.

The California Coastal Commission narrowly approved the consistency determination regarding the National Park Service (NPS) plans for ranching at Point Reyes National Seashore.  The Commissioner approved, by 5-4 vote the conditional concurrence recommended by Commission staff with additional amendments. Three additional amendments were unanimously adopted by the Commissioners.  

It’s no secret that the Trump Administration is fast-tracking leases for drilling, logging, mining, and grazing on Americans’ public lands. The plan to extend ranching at Point Reyes National Seashore is no exception. Trump’s Department of Interior is intent on having the Record of Decision for this damaging plan signed, sealed and delivered before January 20, 2021. A final step in the process is the California Coastal Commission’s decision as to whether the National Park Service’s (NPS) plan for the Seashore is “consistent” with State laws protecting the coast.