Creative Commons Generic 2.0 License, Tom Hilton photo

Several MBCA Directors were involved in creating and delivering a presentation to the San Bernardino County Planning Commission on behalf of the Third District Dark Skies Committee on May 27, 2021. This YouTube link contains the Committee's presentation. (We are seeking access to video of the entire workshop and will post here if/when available.) The Committee in collaboration with Code Enforcement Chief Andy Wingert (now deceased) created the Draft Light Trespass Ordinance under consideration. The Ordinance was introduced to the Planning Commission by Land Use Services staff on February 4, 2021.

The Net Metering bill AB 1139 that would reduce benefits for home solar failed to pass a June 2 California Assembly vote. MBCA joined many organizations in March to oppose the bill. Several renewable energy industry news groups have provided information and commentary on the bill and the vote, including PV Tech, Solar Power World, and PV Magazine. While it is "off the table" for now, the bill could be reintroduced in January 2022.

Yucca Valley High School graduate Kahlena Alcantar has been awarded the 2021-22 Ruth Denison Conservation and Environmental Scholarship from MBCA. Kahlena will be studying Marine Biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She has volunteered locally with the Mojave Desert Land Trust and the Wildlands Conservancy and is pictured here with MBCA President Steve Bardwell. We wish Kahlena the best as she pursues her education and career goals!

MBCA’s May 16 letter to Assemblymember James Ramos encourages his efforts to pass legislation that would establish a California Desert Conservancy within the state’s Wildlife Conservation Board. (See our January 13 News post for additional background.) Ramos introduced AB 1183 in mid-February and the bill is working through the committee review process.

MBCA's long-time Board member and science educator Pat Flanagan is part of a team of conservation advocates who have created detailed Science Briefs about carbon sequestration and biodiversity in the California desert. They will be used to educate lawmakers and state agency officials working on climate change and land use issues. Other writing team members were representatives of the Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, and Mojave Desert Land Trust.