Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy in Line for $3.5 Million in Budget Amendment Bill Signed by Newsom

A Pasadena land trust is in line for $3,575,000 in a state budget bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, money the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy says will help it buy four wildlife-corridor properties. 

The money would run through the state Wildlife Conservation Board under Assembly Bill 113. The Legislature passed the bill Sept. 1 and presented it to the Governor on Sept. 8, and the Governor signed it Friday, Sept. 18. Under the bill, the money can be spent up to June 30, 2030. 

The bill amends the Budget Act of 2026. It adds an item numbered 3640-107-6093 that sets aside $198 million for the Wildlife Conservation Board to pass on in grants. The money comes from the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Fund. One line in that item directs $3,575,000 “for the Arroyo Conservancy Land Purchase.” 

The money would go toward four properties the conservancy is pursuing in Altadena, Glendale and Shadow Hills, the group said in a press release. The Pasadena group buys small parcels to link up habitat cut off by roads, freeways and housing. Its corridor work aims to tie the San Rafael Hills, the Verdugo Mountains, Debs Park and Griffith Park back to the San Gabriel Mountains. 

“The properties we identify as absolutely critical to wildlife are small — often less than an acre,” John Howell, the conservancy’s chief executive officer, said in the release. “Despite strong community support for statewide conservation funding, securing those dollars for small urban parcels remains a consistent challenge.” 

The conservancy credited Assemblymembers John Harabedian, D-Pasadena, and Mike Fong, D-Alhambra, with pressing for its inclusion in the bill. Harabedian represents Assembly District 41, which includes Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge and Sierra Madre. Fong has represented the 49th District since 2022. The budget bill was authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel. 

“I hope this is just the beginning of long-term, robust support for urban conservation in our community. I’m proud to champion state funding for wildlife and open space because protecting our environment matters now more than ever,” Harabedian said in a statement issued by the conservancy. 

The same item sends $53 million toward the purchase of Golden Gate Fields. Another $3 million goes to the Bowtie Parcel in Los Angeles. Elsewhere in the bill, $500,000 goes to the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association. The bill calls it bridge funding for safety, security and operating costs at the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl Game. Another $1 million goes to the Pasadena Playhouse. 

In 2024 the state gave the conservancy $1.023 million for 10 acres in Glendale’s Sycamore Canyon, through the California Natural Resources Agency. 

The conservancy announced the funding Friday, Sept. 18, at its Urban Conservation Awards at the Autry Museum of the American West in Griffith Park. The Governor signed the bill the same day.