May 26, 2020 VIA EMAIL: wade.crowfoot@resources.ca.gov Secretary Wade Crowfoot California Natural Resources Agency 1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311 Sacramento, CA 95814 Re: Call for California to Participate in the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity Dear Secretary Crowfoot: We are writing to urge you to support Assemblymember Laura Friedman’s request that California officially participate in the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). As nonprofit organizations, government and community leaders, we recognize that the state of California is a global leader and role model for protecting the future of nature. As such, it is fitting that California participates in the CBD as an official Observer and member of its Advisory Committee on Subnational Governments and Biodiversity (AC SNG). Our planet is experiencing an extinction crisis that threatens the livelihoods and well-being of both people and nature. Californians are directly impacted by the consequences of this growing crisis, not least of which is the COVID-19 pandemic with its likely roots in the global wildlife trade. We need healthy, thriving ecosystems to support our most basic systems from food production to clean air and water. And we need them to mitigate the impacts of climate change, from increasing temperatures to extreme weather patterns. Thriving ecosystems are also the foundation for a functioning economy and for improving peace and stability in our society. The coming year is a pivotal time of action for Earth. The CBD will meet for their 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) to adopt a post-2020 plan to save nature. This plan will set the stage for global policy making through 2030. But the United States is one of only two countries not party to the CBD, creating a significant global leadership gap. California’s environmental policies influence, and are influenced by policies worldwide. Recognizing this, we believe California should step up and contribute to the CBD’s planning process, showing that Americans understand the urgent need to tackle biodiversity loss, and want to work together for a better future. As Assemblymember Friedman states in her request that California participate in the CBD, “California’s leadership carries weight in global forums.” Not only does our leadership carry weight, we are a role model to other states as well as counties and cities across the US. We show that, even when our national government does not act, subnational governments can collaborate to solve problems at home and within our global community. The post-2020 biodiversity plan discussions have already begun, and are ongoing. We urge you to ensure that California contributes to these discussions by taking immediate steps for California

to become an official CBD Observer and join the Advisory Committee on Subnational Governments. And, we ask that you send California state representatives to COP15.

Sincerely,

Encl: January 2020 letter from Assemblymember Laura Friedman

Cc: Honorable Gavin Newsom, Governor Assemblymember Laura Friedman, Chair, Assembly Natural Resources Committee

Advocates for the Environment

Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy

California League of Conservation Voters

Center for Biological Diversity

Citizens for Los Angeles Wildlife (CLAW)

Climate Resolve

Defenders of Wildlife

Friends of Griffith Park

Friends of the L.A. River (FOLAR)

Glendale Environmental Coalition

Heal the Bay

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

NELA Climate Collective

Rainforest Action Network (RAN)

Sunrise Movement Los Angeles Youth

Surfrider Foundation

Turtle Island Restoration Network

UCLA Sustainable LA Grand Challenge

Ventana Wilderness Alliance

Volunteers Organized in Conservation of the Environment

Young Entertainment Activists (YEA!)

David Diaz Executive Director Active San Gabriel Valley

Cheryl Auger President BAN SUP

Richard Halsey Director California Chaparral Institute

Nick Jensen Lead Conservation Scientist California Native Plant Society Dean Wallraff Executive Director Cool World Institute

Tom Wheeler, Executive Director Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC)

Bernie Tershy Co-founder Freshwater Life

Finian Makepeace Co-founder, Policy Director, & Lead Educator Kiss the Ground

Brandon Dawson Policy Advocate Sierra Club California

Councilmember David Ryu City of Los Angeles District 4

Mayor Pro Tempore John Heilman City of West Hollywood

Lila Higgins Co-founder, City Nature Challenge Author of Wild LA

Claudia Culling

Rosalind Helfand Independent Environmental & Social Policy Advisor