July 9, 2002

The Honorable Gray Davis
Governor of California
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Governor Davis:

The 2002 federal farm bill can bring dramatic increases in conservation funding to California’s farmers and ranchers–if we play our cards right. The California Wilderness Coalition’s new report "Wild Harvest: Farming for Wildlife and Profitability" outlines a strategy to make the most of these potential resources, to maximize habitat conservation on private lands and increase the profitability of California’s farmers.

Much of the habitat needed by California’s 292 endangered species is on private lands. For conservation to work, landowners and agricultural producers must view the preservation of habitat as economically beneficial.

We urge you to adopt new policies recommended in this report, and to fight for the state’s fair share of the 2002 federal farm bill’s conservation funds. This will strengthen public-private partnerships for habitat conservation in California and preserve our unique agricultural heritage and species diversity.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Ben Wallace
California Wilderness Coalition

Leland Swenson
Community Alliance with Family Farmers

Kim Delfino
Defenders of Wildlife

Stacie Clary
California Sustainable Agriculture Working Group