With the national election results weighing heavily on many people’s minds, I wanted to let you know about some good news for the environment in our local and state elections. First, thank you to California voters for passing Proposition 4 – the climate bond! Second, San Benito’s Measure A, the “Empower the Voters to Make Land Use Decisions” initiative, has a significant lead as of election night, and news organizations are saying it’s on track to win.

Measure A: Protecting the Environment Far Beyond San Benito County

Measure A is a citizen-led initiative that protects open space, wildlife and farmland and empowers the people of San Benito to decide how the county will grow. Throughout the process, Green Foothills supported Campaign to Protect San Benito, the local group that led the campaign.

If Measure A’s early results hold and it passes, it will be a win for local nature and wildlife. Measure A will change how land use decisions are made in San Benito County, requiring a vote of the people to redesignate land from an agricultural, rangeland, or rural designation to a commercial, industrial, or residential designation. It allows the people of San Benito to have a voice in the process, creating the opportunity to guide the county toward smart, responsible growth. It provides an extra layer of protection for San Benito’s farmland and open spaces, honoring the County’s agricultural heritage, and maintaining the resilience of local food systems.

Measure A also removes four commercial “nodes,” or areas set aside for commercial development along Highway 101, so development in these four areas would require voter approval, too. These nodes are essential areas for nature in San Benito and beyond. They are within a critical wildlife linkage that allows animals to move between the Gabilan and Diablo mountain ranges and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Removing these commercial nodes helps to protect this important region.

Thank you to everyone who supported Measure A! We couldn’t have gotten to this point without you, and we’re grateful for your support. Whether you were actively involved in the campaign or voted “yes” on the measure, you were an essential part of this effort.

Our work is far from over. Whether Measure A ultimately wins or not, we will continue to strategically engage in land use decisions and development proposals in San Benito County to protect local farmland and nature for the benefit of all.

Proposition 4: Investing in Climate Resilience For All

The passage of Proposition 4 is a beacon of hope that will create a secure source of funding for the climate-resilient solutions we so desperately need. Even if we lose federal funding for wildfire prevention, restoration of wetlands and other habitat areas, and the protection of endangered species, here in California we will still be investing in solutions that protect our communities and environment.

Perhaps most importantly, Proposition 4 dedicates 40% of its funding to help communities most impacted by, and least able to respond to, climate change and other environmental harms. This includes Indigenous tribes, farmworkers, and communities living with pollution and toxic exposure. Proposition 4 also provides $25 million for ecological restoration and protection of open space in Coyote Valley — a landscape we have fought so hard to preserve.

What the Future Holds: Protecting Our Communities and the Environment

These ballot victories are a small but important reminder that we can still make a difference for people and nature. Green Foothills remains steadfastly committed to protecting nature, supporting our communities, and always holding fast to our vision for the future. Thank you for supporting our work.