Protecting California’s Public Lands

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10.29.20

On September 30, Better World Group launched its first virtual round table. Our team invited dynamic leaders from the private and public sector to discuss the future of California’s public lands amid the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, devastating wildfires fueled by climate change, and the upcoming Presidential election.

Panelists included:

  • Xavier Becerra, California Attorney General

  • Cecilia Estolano, Better World Group CEO

  • Hans Cole, Director of Environmental Campaigns and Advocacy at Patagonia, Inc

  • Graciela Cabello, Director of Youth and Community Engagement at Los Padres ForestWatch

  • Sean Hecht, Co-Executive Director of the UCLA Law School Emmett Institute on Climate Change & the Environment

  • Sammy Roth (Moderator), LA Times Climate reporter and host of the Boiling Point newsletter

Cecilia Estolano kicked off the webinar by introducing the California Attorney General. In a one-on-one interview, the two discussed how the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) is working to protect the state’s public lands. “The Department of Justice in California takes its role very seriously protecting California’s people, resources, and values,” Attorney General Becerra announced to the audience of over 290 individual viewers. “And so every time we see any of those three, put in harm's way we act and not because it's easy or because it's fun - it's because we must.” The Attorney General also shared that the CA DOJ’s new Bureau of Environmental Justice is strongly committed to protecting the state’s public lands as well as adjacent, disadvantaged communities at risk from regressive policies from the Trump Administration. The Attorney General closed out the interview by sharing a message of encouragement to the audience - asking them to stay politically alert; not settle for incremental change; and remain confident in their agency as public stakeholders.

The second half of the webinar featured a deep dive led by moderator Sammy Roth. Panelists were asked to expand on the goals and challenges of their organizations as they work towards creating equitable relationships between their stakeholders and California’s public lands.

Highlights of the event focused on the topics of economic recovery, wildfire mitigation, private sector responsibility, and the recent actions of current Administration. Cecilia Estolano advocated for the creation of a National Conservation Core as an economic recovery tool to equitably address Forest Management. Graciela Cabello continued the conversation discussing how her team at Los Padres ForestWatch is exploring multi-faceted wildfire mitigation solutions rooted in ecological sustainability and robust stakeholder engagement. Hans Cole shared Patagonia’s commitments to protecting public lands across the country by showcasing their recent political and grassroots activism in the environmental policy space. Professor Sean Hecht provided his analysis regarding the outcomes as well as the legitimacy behind the decisions made by acting director of the Federal Bureau of Land Management, William Perry Pendley.

If you were unable to attend all or part of the Public Lands webinar, no need to worry – a full recording is available on our website! This webinar is the first in a series of round-table discussions hosted by Better World Group to elevate prominent voices in the environmental policy and justice space. To receive updates on our next webinar and to learn more about the work we do at Better World Group, consider signing up for our free monthly newsletter!