Forest and Public Lands Stewardship Archives - Rural County Representatives Of California

chalkboard with writing in background, desk with books and pencils in foreground

Oct 16, 2026

Advocacy | Forest and Public Lands Stewardship Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Reauthorize Secure Rural Schools Program Through Fiscal Year 2029

On September 30, 2026, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators introduced the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2026 (S. 5608), to extend the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, through fiscal year (FY) 2029. The SRS program expired on September 30, 2026

Aug 28, 2026

Advocacy | Forest and Public Lands Stewardship Call to Action: RCRC Seeks Veto on Demonstration State Forests Bill

RCRC is asking Governor Gavin Newsom to veto legislation that would profoundly impact the management of California’s Demonstration State Forest (DSF) system. The bill, which recently passed the Legislature, conflicts with state forest resilience goals outlined in the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan and would severely diminish research opportunities for the forest science community. RCRC requests that counties submit a letter to Governor Newsom urging him to veto this bill.

Aug 20, 2026

Advocacy | Forest and Public Lands Stewardship California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Approves Zone 0 Defensible Space Regulations

On Thursday, August 19, the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection approved the final draft of Zone 0 defensible space regulations

water with green trees at the side, mountains in the background, and clouds set against a blue sky.

Aug 20, 2026

Advocacy | Forest and Public Lands Stewardship Sierra Nevada Conservancy to Host Quarterly Meeting in Mono County

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) will host its quarterly Board field tour and meeting in June Lake in Mono County on Wednesday, September 2, and Thursday, September 3

Aug 20, 2026

Advocacy | Forest and Public Lands Stewardship USDA Acts to Remove Roadless Rule Restrictions to Combat Wildfire Risk

On Tuesday, August 18, the U.S. Forest Service filed a proposed rule to rescind, in its entirety, the national 2001 Roadless Area Conversation Rule, citing that the one-size-fits-all restriction has frustrated land managers and served as a barrier to wildfire risk reduction work

Map of California marking State Parks participating in 4th Grade Park Pass program in 2026

Aug 13, 2026

Forest and Public Lands Stewardship Governor Announces State Parks’ Fourth Grade Pass Available for 2026-27 School Year

On Wednesday, August 12, Governor Newsom and First Partner Siebel Newsom announced the Free Fourth Grade Pass, offering unlimited access to 54 participating state parks. Passes can be downloaded through ReserveCalifornia.

red letters encircled in red sitting next to a stamp with a wooden handle

Jun 26, 2026

Advocacy | Forest and Public Lands Stewardship Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force Releases Draft Action Plan

Earlier this month, the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force released its draft Wildfire and Landscape Resilience Action Plan (2026-2031). Announcing its release, the Task Force states

Jun 26, 2026

Advocacy | Forest and Public Lands Stewardship DOI Announces $733 Million in 2026 PILT Funding

On June 23, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced that more than 1,900 state and local governments will receive a combined $733 million through the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program for 2026

timber stacks around a timber yard, with woody biomass in the background.

Jun 19, 2026

Advocacy | Forest and Public Lands Stewardship New Mass Timber Coalition Launches in California

Last week, a new coalition was announced to advance the manufacture of mass timber products using woody biomass across the state of California. The California Mass Coalition was recently formed after several months of discussions

old buildings along a dirt road in the hills (California ghost down of Bodie)

Jun 19, 2026

Advocacy | Forest and Public Lands Stewardship California State Parks Offers Free ‘Historian Passport’ for Limited Time

On Wednesday, June 17, Governor Newsom announced that California State Parks is offering a special free version of its Historian Passport, normally priced at $50, through July 6th. Once claimed online, the pass is valid for