Conservation Catch-Up

SEPTEMBER 2026

CONSERVATION CATCH-UP

Spotlight: Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program

It's been an exciting time for Conservation's Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (MLRP)! On August 11, the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability honored the MLRP team for their work integrating community engagement and health into their program delivery. Additionally, Program Manager Jacob Byrne recently sat down with Secretary Wade Crowfoot to discuss the program grants and how funding has helped recharge groundwater while restoring wildlife habitat across California communities. Watch the Video

Touring and Transforming the Community of Watts

Director Jennifer Lucchesi recently joined the California Strategic Growth Council and community leaders to tour the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles and see firsthand how the neighborhood is using funding from the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program to make climate-friendly improvements across the city. These initiatives range from planting trees and installing solar panels to improving bike lanes and creating an electric vehicle car-share program.

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Conservation Data Leadership Recognized

Nate Roth (right) receiving the CGIA’s Coordination and Collaboration award, pictured with Tracy Tober, CGIA Chair. Photo by Donna Begay.

Nate Roth is helping lead Conservation's newly created Office of Science and Data Strategy, building on his work to expand the use of science, data, and technology in public decision-making.

Recently recognized by the California Geographic Information Association for his leadership in achieving statewide LiDAR coverage, Roth, credited the accomplishment to an extensive network of partners.

"I am incredibly proud to have received this award, not for myself, but for what it represents," Roth said, recognizing the U.S. Geological Survey, California Department of Conservation, California Natural Resources Agency, and the many partners whose funding, expertise, and encouragement helped make statewide LiDAR coverage a reality.

Data, Roth notes, isn't best left in a silo. Partnerships are crucial to improving data usage for everyone, with an added bonus of ensuring accuracy and relevance. Check the next edition of this newsletter for more on the Department of Conservation's emerging work in this space, or head to data.conservation.ca.gov and dive in!

Project Plug Work Completed in Wilmington

Work to permanently plug and seal five oil wells in Wilmington, CA, has been completed by the California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM). Alongside local authorities in the Los Angeles area, CalGEM cleaned up oil seepage and helped protect the local neighborhood’s health and safety.

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Oil seepage at the Wilmington site on July 14th, before cleanup and plugging work began

Updates from the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program

With fire season upon us, Conservation's Regional Forest and Fire Capacity (RFFC) Program is hard at work to support natural spaces and communities across California. The RFFC team will be participating in the California Wildfire and Resilience Task Force's North Coast Regional Meeting on October 1 and 2 in Humboldt County. Additionally, keep on eye on our Proposition 4 Climate Bonds webpage for updates on the next round of program guidelines for future grant applicants.

In the News: Preventing Wildfires with Artificial Intelligence

While still in high school, Ryan Honary founded SensorRy AI to develop technology that could help identify early wildfire ignitions. Now, with funding from Conservation’s Regional Forest and Fire Capacity (RFFC) Program, Honary is partnering with the City of Irvine to install a network of early wildfire detection sensors throughout the Irvine Open Space Preserve to help firefighters detect wildfires before they spread, protecting natural spaces and nearby communities. Read More

Get Ready for the Great Shakeout!

The annual Great California Shakeout is next month! On October 15 at 10:15 a.m., join millions of people wo rldwide in practicing and promoting earthquake safety . You can find a drill near you using the link below.

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