Rewilding Earth Podcast: Episode 140 Summary

Title: California’s Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot On Beavers, Rewilding Rivers, and Wildlife Crossings
Host: The Rewilding Institute
Release Date: January 17, 2025
Guest: Wade Crowfoot, California's Natural Resources Secretary

Introduction

In Episode 140 of the Rewilding Earth Podcast, host Jack engages in a comprehensive conversation with Wade Crowfoot, California's Natural Resources Secretary. Serving since 2019, Secretary Crowfoot oversees a vast agency dedicated to conserving California's diverse ecosystems, including forests, rivers, coastlines, and spearheading the state’s clean energy initiatives. This episode delves into pivotal topics such as beaver reintroduction, river restoration, wildlife crossings, and the ambitious 30 by 30 conservation goal.

Beavers and Rewilding California

Recognizing the Importance of Beavers

Secretary Crowfoot emphasizes the delayed acknowledgment of beavers' ecological significance in California. He states, “We were a little late to the game in actually recognizing the importance of beavers... but we’re trying to go from worst to first” (04:02). This shift signifies California's commitment to not only preserving existing beaver populations through non-lethal methods but also actively relocating them to their historical habitats disrupted since the 1800s fur trade.

Ecological Benefits of Beavers

Beavers are portrayed as a "Swiss army knife for climate resilience." Their activities create buffers that can slow or even halt wildfires, enhance water retention in landscapes, and support diverse wildlife. Secretary Crowfoot notes, “beavers actually help us address all of these challenges, and they do the work for free” (05:11). This multifaceted impact underlines the keystone status of beavers in maintaining ecosystem health.

Reintroduction Projects

California has initiated several beaver reintroduction projects in partnership with tribal leaders and conservation experts:

• Northern Sierra Nevada: Seven beavers were reintroduced to a meadow historically inhabited by the Mountain Maidu people. Five survived and began establishing a sustainable population (05:11).
• Tule River Tribe Reservation: After initial challenges with predation, subsequent reintroductions have successfully established a foothold for beavers (05:11).

Klamath River Restoration

Dam Removal for Salmon Habitat

One of the standout accomplishments discussed is the removal of four outdated dams on the Klamath River, restoring over 400 miles of salmon habitat. Secretary Crowfoot highlights the collaborative effort involving tribal leaders, governors from California and Oregon, and even Warren Buffett, whose company's backing was crucial (09:12). The immediate return of salmon spawns within weeks of dam removal underscores nature's resilience: “literally days after that last dam gets taken out, there's the first indication of salmon return” (10:15).

Impact of Restoration

The restoration project not only revitalized salmon populations but also demonstrated the profound effects of persistent activism and strategic partnerships. Crowfoot remarks, “help nature, help us, we need nature” (10:15), encapsulating the symbiotic relationship between ecological health and human well-being.

Wildlife Crossings and Connectivity

Importance of Wildlife Crossings

Wildlife crossings are crucial for maintaining genetic diversity and ensuring the safe movement of animals across fragmented habitats. California is on the verge of completing what is believed to be the world's largest wildlife crossing—a nature bridge over a 10-lane freeway near Los Angeles designed to protect mountain lions and connect significant habitat areas (18:12).

Bipartisan Support and Safety Benefits

Secretary Crowfoot underscores the bipartisan appeal of wildlife crossings. They not only facilitate ecological connectivity but also enhance traffic safety by preventing animal-vehicle collisions. He shares an interaction with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who recognizes the broad public support for such initiatives, describing wildlife crossings as “one of these bridging issues” that can unite different political perspectives (20:56).

30 by 30 Initiative

California’s Conservation Goal

California has adopted the global 30 by 30 initiative, aiming to protect 30% of its lands and coastal waters by 2030. Secretary Crowfoot explains that this ambitious goal involves safeguarding nearly 6 million additional acres through a strategic roadmap called "Pathways to 30 by 30" (24:22). The initiative prioritizes areas with high biodiversity, climate refugia, and essential connectivity for migrating species.

Progress and Strategies

To date, California has protected over 1.5 million additional acres, putting the state on track to meet its 30 by 30 target. Strategies include:

• Enhanced Conservation on Federal Lands: Leveraging federal partnerships to expand protected areas.
• Conservation Easements on Private Lands: Encouraging private landowners to preserve critical habitats.
• State Investments: Allocating funds for land acquisition and conservation efforts.

Crowfoot emphasizes the importance of connectivity, stating, “we are supporting this movement to prioritize the most important areas of habitat connectivity” (28:40). This ensures that protected areas are not isolated but form a cohesive network supporting diverse ecosystems.

Nature-Based Solutions and Infrastructure

Shifting from Gray to Green Infrastructure

Secretary Crowfoot advocates for nature-based solutions over traditional gray infrastructure. For instance, instead of building higher levees to contain rivers, the approach involves allowing rivers to spread into floodplains, which aids in flood management, groundwater recharge, and habitat creation (32:13).

Collaboration with Agencies

Implementing these solutions requires altering long-standing practices within agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers. Crowfoot acknowledges the cultural shift needed within these institutions to embrace "Engineering with Nature" (32:13), highlighting the ongoing transformation towards integrated, sustainable infrastructure planning.

Collaboration and Activism

Role of Activists and Tribal Leaders

The success of California's conservation efforts is deeply rooted in sustained activism and collaboration with tribal communities. Organizations such as the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center have been instrumental in educating and influencing government policies on beaver restoration (09:12). Additionally, partnerships with Native American tribes have led to co-management agreements for 55% of state park lands, fostering a holistic approach to ecosystem restoration (14:58).

Knowledge Sharing through Networks

Networks like BeaverCon facilitate the exchange of best practices and innovative strategies among conservationists and government officials. This collective learning accelerates the adoption of effective conservation measures across different states and regions (37:15).

Conclusion

Secretary Wade Crowfoot’s insights reveal a comprehensive and proactive approach to conservation in California. From the reintroduction of beavers and restoration of the Klamath River to the implementation of wildlife crossings and the ambitious 30 by 30 goal, California serves as a model for rewilding and sustainable ecosystem management. Central to these efforts are robust collaborations with activists, tribal leaders, and other states, underscoring the power of collective action in addressing environmental challenges. As Crowfoot aptly summarizes, “help people and nature thrive together” (14:58), embodying the ethos driving California’s transformative conservation initiatives.

Notable Quotes

• Beavers’ Ecological Role:
  “Beavers actually help us address all of these challenges, and they do the work for free.” (05:11) – Wade Crowfoot

• Salmon Restoration Impact:
  “Help nature, help us, we need nature.” (10:15) – Wade Crowfoot

• Wildlife Crossings as Unifying Projects:
  “It is one of these bridging issues... between people with other political differences.” (20:56) – Wade Crowfoot

• Nature-Based Solutions:
  “We can work with nature and that keeping nature healthy is an investment in protecting ourselves.” (32:13) – Wade Crowfoot

• Collaboration with Tribes:
  “These tribes are driving their rewilding, they're driving actually bringing back animals and creating these holistic ecosystems.” (14:58) – Wade Crowfoot

This episode of the Rewilding Earth Podcast offers an inspiring look into California’s multifaceted conservation strategies under Secretary Wade Crowfoot’s leadership, highlighting the profound impact of integrated, nature-based approaches in mitigating climate change and restoring natural ecosystems.