California Advances Wildlife Coexistence Efforts 

As wildlife populations recover and communities continue to grow, encounters between people and wildlife are becoming more common. The question must be how we share space with wildlife, not is not whether we will.

That’s why we were encouraged to see the California Senate pass SB 1135, legislation that would re-establish a statewide wildlife coexistence program and support efforts to reduce conflicts between people and wildlife through education, outreach, and proven non-lethal strategies. 

Over the past five years, reports of wildlife incidents to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife have increased significantly. Programs like these help communities respond proactively by reducing attractants, promoting wildlife-safe practices, and providing the tools people need to coexist safely with native species. 

The bill also supports a wolf-livestock coexistence and compensation program, recognizing that long-term conservation success depends on practical solutions that work for both wildlife and people. 

SB 1135 now moves to the California Assembly for consideration. We will continue to follow its progress and advocate for science-based approaches that promote coexistence, reduce conflict, and help keep wildlife wild.