Government
The California Department of Fish and Game maintains native fish, wildlife, plant species and natural communities for their intrinsic and ecological value and their benefits to people. This includes habitat protection and maintenance in a sufficient amount and quality to ensure the survival of all species and natural communities. The department is also responsible for the diversified use of fish and wildlife including recreational, commercial, scientific and educational uses.
The Habitat Conservation Branch consists of multiple programs that are dedicated towards the conservation and preservation of habitats and species in California.
The California Coastal Conservancy is a state agency that uses entrepreneurial techniques to purchase, protect, restore, and enhance coastal resources, and to provide access to the shore. They work in partnership with local governments, other public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners. Since 1976, the Conservancy has used over $1.4 billion to complete its projects. The Conservancy has been funded primarily by state general obligation bonds approved by California voters.
In 1980, a 1,252-square-nautical-mile portion of the Santa Barbara Channel was given a special protected status with the designation of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. The sanctuary is an area of national significance because of its exceptional natural beauty and resources. It encompasses the waters that surround Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel and Santa Barbara Islands, extending from mean high tide to six nautical miles offshore around each of the five islands. The sanctuary's primary goal is the protection of the natural and cultural resources contained within its boundaries.
The City of Malibu has 21 miles of coastline along the Pacific Ocean and is thus directly involved in the local environment of the nearby shoreline that CWC serves.
NOAA's Office of Protected Resources is a headquarters program office of it's National Marine Fisheries Service, under the US Department of Commerce. The office provides oversight and guidance on the conservation of marine mammals, endangered species, and their habitats in cooperation with the Regional Offices, Science Centers, and various partners.
Located adjacent to the city of Los Angeles, the second largest urban area in the United States, the Santa Monica Mountains represent one of the largest protected areas of the Mediterranean-type ecosystem. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is part of the Mediterranean Coast Network that includes Channel Islands National Park and Cabrillo National Monument. Together, these parks protect some of the most significant examples of terrestrial Mediterranean-type ecosystems and coastal marine environments anywhere in the world.
The US Fish & Wildlife Service helps protect a healthy environment for people, fish and wildlife, and helps us conserve and enjoy the outdoors and our living treasures. The Service's major responsibilities are for migratory birds, endangered species, certain marine mammals, and freshwater and anadromous fish. Through its Division of Bird Habitat Conservation it participates in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan that is implemented through unique partnerships consisting of organizations and individuals committed to the conservation of wetlands habitats and their associated wildlife. Through its The National Wildlife Refuge System it helped save our national symbol, the American Bald Eagle, from extinction and has protected hundreds of other wild species — including fish, migratory birds, and many other plants and animals and the habitats that support them.
The Patuxent Wildlife Research Center has been a national and international leader in wildlife research since its creation by Congress in 1936 as an integral part of the Patuxent Research Refuge. After several organizational changes, PWRC is one of 17 Research Centers of the US Geological Survey, the natural resources research arm of the Department of the Interior.
The California Coastal Commission’s Marine, Coastal & Watershed Resource Directory details educational resources and programs, volunteer opportunities, and internship possibilities in California that address marine, coastal and watershed topics.
The Oiled Wildlife Care Network is administered by the Wildlife Health Center at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis. It is a partnership of regulatory agencies, academia and wildlife professionals that is recognized as the world leader in oil spill response, rescue, rehabilitation and research, and is an outstanding example of how such institutions and organizations can collectively work toward a common goal.
Everything Else
The California State Parks Foundation is the only statewide non-profit organization dedicated to protecting, enhancing and advocating for California's magnificent State Parks. The California State Parks Foundation is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization.
The National Wildlife Federation works with over 4 million members, partners, and supporters to actively promote achievable solutions to global warming, wildlife habitat erosion, and the disconnection between children and nature.
The California League of Conservation Voters is the non-partisan political action arm of California's environmental movement. Its mission is to protect the environmental quality of the state by increasing public awareness of the environmental performance of all elected officials, working to elect environmentally responsible candidates, and holding them accountable to the environmental agenda once elected.
In 1947, Defenders of Furbearers, the organization that would later become Defenders of Wildlife, was founded. The fledgling organization boasted only one full-time employee and 1,500 members who made it their mission to protect coyotes and other furred animals from steel-jawed leghold traps and lethal poisons. In 2007, sixty years later, Defenders of Wildlife employs over 150 dedicated professionals and is supported by more than 500,000 members nationwide. The organization has evolved to take on the task of preserving the nation’s native wildlife species and habitats.
Promoting stewardship and understanding of the rich marine life and unique marine environment of the Central Coast, the Friends of the Elephant Seal provides information about the Piedras Blancas rookery. This Elephant Seal rookery (on Highway 1, seven miles north of San Simeon, on the California Central Coast) is home to about 15,000 animals and is open for viewing every day of the year with no admission fee or reservation required.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest and most effective animal protection organization — backed by 10 million Americans, or one in every 30. They are America's mainstream force against cruelty, exploitation and neglect, as well as the most trusted voice extolling the human-animal bond. They are especially concerned with pets, wildlife, marine mammals, farm animals, animals in research, and horses.
The International Bird Rescue Research Center has been helping birds around the world since 1971. Its mission is to mitigate human impact on aquatic birds and other wildlife. This is achieved through rehabilitation, emergency response, education, research, planning and training. Its Southern California facility handles sick and oiled animals in San Pedro.
There are many ways to "preserve and protect wildlife and habitat;" the founders of the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council chose to preserve and protect through the support of wildlife rehabilitation. Wildlife rehabilitation provides unique insights into issues affecting wildlife populations, species and habitats, and contributes to wildlife conservations and protection worldwide.
The League of Conservation Voters is an independent political voice for the environment. Its mission is to advocate for sound environmental policies and to elect pro-environmental candidates who will adopt and implement such policies.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is the nation's most effective environmental action organization. We use law, science and the support of 1.2 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things.
The Planning and Conservation League (PLC) is a nonprofit lobbying organization where individuals and organizations become a united voice in the protection of California's environment. PLC the only organization solely devoted to making California a better place to live by lobbying the California State Legislature on a full range of environmental issues and by sponsoring environmental initiatives. An official resolution of the Legislature stated that "participation on every key environmental issue before the State Legislature has demonstrated PCL's effectiveness in preserving the quality of life for all Californians."
South Coast Wildlands is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring functional habitat connectivity accross the South Coast Ecoregion. Their mission is to protect, connect, and restore the rich natural heritage of the South Coast Ecoregion by establishing a system of connected wildlands.
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and 80 chapters worldwide.
"Wishtoyo is a bridge, preserving the wisdom of the ancient Chumash culture and linking it to the present day environmental issues." The Wishtoyo Foundation has two adjacent projects planned for Nicholas Canyon County Beach, at the northwestern end of Los Angeles County in Malibu. Both are co-sponsored by the L.A. Dept. of Beaches & Harbors, which has granted Wishtoyo Foundation a Right of Entry and access permit for the site.
The American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians endeavours to enhance the contribution of veterinary medicine to the welfare of the wildlife resource, and to encourage and promote a philosophy of animal management and preventative medicine as it relates to free-ranging species.
The California Council for Wildlife Rehabilitators works to promote the highest standards of animal care in wildlife by providing educational and network opportunities among wildlife rehabilitators and regulatory agencies.
The National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association is dedicated to improving and promoting the profession of wildlife rehabilitation and its contributions to preserving natural ecosystems.
The Native American Fish & Wildlife Society is a national tribal organization that aims to support tribal decision-makers in their efforts towards astute natural resource management.
Essays in Wildlife Conservation is a collection of essays that were written for a general introductory course on wildlife conservation, taught at the University of California, Davis. The essays were written for students who are not biology majors. The essays are broad in scope but examples focus on California, in order to make the material more relevant to the students in the course, who mostly come from California. They are typically used in conjunction with other readings, especially readings that cover basic ecology.
Founded in 1975, The Marine Mammal Center is a nonprofit organization that rescues, rehabilitates and releases injured, sick and orphaned marine mammals (seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoises, whales and sea otters) along a 600 mile stretch of California coastline, from Mendocino County through San Luis Obispo County.
The American Birding Association is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides leadership to birders by increasing their knowledge, skills, and enjoyment of birding. They are the only organization in North America that specifically caters to recreational birders. They also contribute to bird and bird habitat conservation through various programs.
