Good news for wildlife—and for the future of Orange County’s open spaces: A key bill, SB 1135 (California Wildlife Coexistence Act), has officially passed its first Senate committee, moving one step closer to becoming law.
The bill would establish a statewide wildlife coexistence program through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, focused on reducing conflict between people and wildlife through education, prevention, and science-based strategies.
Why this matters:
As development continues to push into natural landscapes, especially in regions like the Santa Ana Mountains, encounters between humans and wildlife are becoming more frequent. Without thoughtful policies, these interactions too often end in harm to animals.
SB 1135 represents a shift toward proactive, non-lethal coexistence, prioritizing solutions that keep both people and wildlife safe.
Why it’s especially important for Save Orange Hills:
Efforts like Save Orange Hills are about protecting not just land, but the ecosystems and wildlife that depend on it. Policies like SB 1135 help reinforce that work at a broader level by:
Supporting statewide standards for humane wildlife management
Promoting education and coexistence strategies in communities near open space
Recognizing that wildlife protection must happen across all of California—not just in isolated areas
In other words, while Save Orange Hills is fighting to preserve critical habitat locally, bills like SB 1135 help ensure that wildlife across the state, including species that move through and depend on the Santa Ana Mountains, are treated with the same level of care and consideration.
The bill still has more steps ahead, but this early progress is a strong sign: California is beginning to embrace coexistence as a core value in how we manage and protect wildlife.
EVENTS THIS WEEKEND:
Pollinator Survey with Krystle Hickman @ Irvine Regional Park