Policy Brief Policy Brief: Equitable State Funding for School Facilities By Julien Lafortune, Niu Gao, Mary Severance Mar 14, 2022 Funding for school facilities comes mostly from local sources and depends on local property wealth. California provides some funding through the School Facility Program (SFP), but many have noted that SFP privileges wealthier districts. Policymakers will need to identify equitable funding streams that give all students access to safe and effective learning environments
blog post After Wildfire, How Do We Rebuild for a “Resilient Recovery”? By Sarah Bardeen Nov 29, 2021 At least one in 12 California homes is at high risk of burning in a wildfire—yet state and local land use policies still incentivize rebuilding in the wildland-urban interface. It doesn’t have to be that way, says the author of a new report.
Report Advancing Ecosystem Restoration with Smarter Permitting By Letitia Grenier, Stephanie Panlasigui, Crissy Pickett, Gokce Sencan Aug 16, 2021 California’s ecosystems are vital to the state’s economy and wellbeing, yet they’re in dire health. Large-scale restoration is needed, and implementing smarter permitting can help.
blog post Drought, Water Supply Are Top Environmental Concerns in California By Rachel Lawler, Annabelle Rosser, Gokce Sencan Aug 5, 2021 As the state copes with yet another severe fire season, a new PPIC survey finds that Californians are very concerned about drought and water supply—and they’re increasingly linking these issues to climate change.
blog post Video: Preparing for the Next Wildfire Season By Mary Severance May 27, 2021 Insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara and an expert panel discuss how California can best prepare for wildfires and address the threat they pose to communities across the state.
event Preparing for the Next Wildfire Season May 19, 2021 After unprecedented losses last year, Californians are bracing for another difficult wildfire season. Lower-than-normal winter rainfall has created dry conditions across the state, putting many areas at risk. Join us for a conversation with insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara and other state leaders about the steps California is taking to prepare for wildfire season—this year and beyond.
blog post A Wish List for Water Collaboration with the Biden‒Harris Administration By Lori Pottinger Jan 6, 2021 Cooperation between California and the federal government was at a low ebb over the past four years. A diverse group of experts discusses top water priorities for collaboration between the state and the new administration.
blog post Paying for Forest Health Projects By Henry McCann Sep 29, 2020 State and federal leaders have agreed to vastly expand vegetation management in California’s forests to reduce wildfire risk. Is it enough to keep pace?
blog post How California’s Wildfires Are Changing By Henry McCann Sep 21, 2020 This year’s fire season has already set records in number of acres burned, with months left to go. We asked fire scientist Crystal Kolden of UC Merced how California’s “firescape” is changing, and what can be done about it.
blog post Using Fire for Good on Tribal Land By Henry McCann Sep 1, 2020 Indigenous peoples have used fire to maintain the land for millennia. We talked to Margo Robbins, a member of the Yurok tribe and director of the Cultural Fire Management Council, about using fire on their lands.
