Tag Archives: 2026

Solano County caught in hawk protection, August 24, 2026, The Reporter

By Roibin Miller | August 24, 2026 | The Reporter

Opponents of delisting are challenging the interpretation of the population data.

A coalition of wildlife advocates and environmental groups, including the Environmental Council of Sacramento, has launched a campaign urging the Fish and Game Commission to reject the building industry petition and retain the hawk’s threatened status.

A Change.org petition organized by the opponents argues that the 18,000-plus breeding-pair estimate is based on a 2018 survey that counted 265 pairs and then used modeling to extrapolate a statewide population. The organizers contend the result is highly speculative and point instead to a 2019 study that estimated roughly 3,800 nesting pairs.

That difference — roughly 18,000 pairs versus roughly 3,800 — has become one of the central points of the dispute.

The opposition campaign argues that a dramatic population increase does not necessarily mean the species has recovered enough to withstand the loss of protections, particularly in the Central Valley, where development continues to consume agricultural and open lands.

The concern is not simply whether hawks can be found in California, advocates say, but whether enough suitable nesting and foraging habitat will remain

Click here to read the article in full.

Invitation to Sponsor Environmentalist of the Year Awards

Greetings Friends,

The Environmental Council of Sacramento is pleased to invite you to become a sponsor of the 2026 Environmentalist of the Year Awards. At this annual event we will recognize some amazing individuals and organizations that have done incredible work for the Sacramento region’s environment.

Guests will enjoy a catered buffet, live music, a chance to mingle with friends and more at Antiquite Midtown, 2114 P Street on November 13th, 2026.

This year’s gathering marks a special milestone in Sacramento’s conservation journey as we recognize the approval of the 2050 Water Forum, and the reawakening of Sacramento’s environmental values through efforts to save Coyote Creek and the Natomas Basin Conservancy.

This event brings together community leaders, project partners, volunteers, and supporters for an enjoyable evening celebrating the partnerships and community spirit that make environmental protection possible throughout Sacramento.

We would be honored to partner with you as a sponsor. Your support will help advance ECOS’s mission is to achieve regional sustainability, livable communities and economy, and environmental justice, as well as a healthy environment, for existing and future residents.

As a sponsor, you (or your organization) will receive meaningful recognition before and during the event as well as on our website.

Please visit https://www.ecosacramento.net/events/eoy/ to sponsor and learn more. Individual tickets will soon be available for purchase online.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to stand with ECOS.

Heather Fargo
President of the ECOS Board of Directors

Call for Nominations! Environmentalist of the Year Awards 2026

Do you know someone making a real difference for the environment in our region? Help us recognize their impact by submitting a nomination for the Environmentalist of the Year Awards! Whether they’re leading bold climate action, protecting natural resources, advocating for environmental justice, or inspiring others to live more sustainably, we want to celebrate their contributions. Your nomination shines a light on the people and projects creating lasting change. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor local heroes—nominate someone today!

Deadline to submit nominations: September 8, 2026

Awards Date: Friday, November 13, 2026
Location: Antiquite Midtown, 2114 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95816

ECOS has presented Environmentalist of the Year awards since 1973. This ceremony allows us to reflect on the successes of each year, to recognize the important work that is being done by environmental stewards across many fields, and to build collaboration for the future.

Click here for more information about the event.

Click here to view past Environmentalist of the Year Awardees.

Nominate

Keep Swainson’s Hawks Protected in California

The California Building Industry Association has filed a petition with the California Fish and Game Commission to delist the Swainson’s Hawk under the California Endangered Species Act. The Commission is expected to review the petition at its December meeting. It will review a California Department of Fish and Wildlife scientific evaulation of the evidence presented by the BIA for 30 days before the hearing. The public can comment up to December 1.

To find the BIA petition and supporting documentation, go to this link: https://fgc.ca.gov/cesa

Here is the link to the Change.org petition to stop the delisting of the Swainson’s Hawk: https://www.change.org/protectswainsonshawk – Please sign!

Read this news article from The Reporter for more information.

Lawsuits filed over Upper Westside

July 21, 2026

We wanted you to know about the lawsuits filed against Sacramento County since the disastrous vote by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors on June 16, 2026, to approve the Upper Westside Project. And, we wanted to share some of the articles published in the local press.

Environmental Groups’ Lawsuit

ECOS, Friends of the Swainson’s Hawk and the Garden Highway Community Association filed a lawsuit against the County last week, supported by other environmental groups, including Bird Alliance and 350 Sacramento.  This lawsuit focuses primarily on requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act which requires public agencies in California to consider the environmental consequences of their actions before proceeding with projects in order to prevent significant, avoidable environmental damage.  Patrick Soluri, environmental attorney for Soluri Meserve, filed the suit in Sacramento Superior Court.

To learn more about the details of the lawsuit, read the Onsite Observer article below.

City of Sacramento Lawsuit

This lawsuit is primarily focused on the destructive impacts of the project to the Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan (NBHCP) and costs of the project to the City. The City argues that the County ignored City requests to abide by the NBHCP as well as City notifications that the project conflicts with the NBHCP. The NBHCP, signed in 2003 by the city, county, and state/federal wildlife agencies, includes a legally binding commitment to preserve a mile wide wildlife corridor along the Sacramento River and to balance future development with habitat conservation in the Natomas Basin. The City Attorney filed the lawsuit in Sacramento Superior Court.

Several of the news articles below highlight how unusual it is for the City to sue the County and describe that lawsuit.

Make a Donation

Lawsuits have become an unfortunate last resort to getting elected officials to pay attention to the concerns of the public. The County Supervisors ignored their constituents. They ignored a petition of over 450 signatures, 150 hard copy letters, hundreds of comments on the EIR, PREIR or FEIR and numerous speakers at the (one, only) hearing on this huge project. To force the County to address our concerns, we have no choice but to present our case to a Sacramento Superior County Judge. Thank you for your support so far, and, please, could you give us $25? Or $250? Whatever your donation is, it will go towards our legal fees. Donate here. Thank you.

Local Press

TODAY:

Natomas planning is funded by Phil Serna’s developer friends. Time to rethink | Opinion

The Sacramento Bee

July 21, a Bee article highlights the close relationship between the County and developers. It also looks to the past when there was a clear separation between the County and City on development responsibilities (City) and ag land (County).

Click here to read the article.

LAST WEEK:

The following articles were published on July 16 and 17, 2026.  We were very heartened by the press response to both our lawsuit and the City’s.  We hope this signals the end of the era of rubber-stamping projects for developers in Sacramento.

Environmental groups sue Sacramento County over 9,356-home Upper Westside approval  

Onsite Observer

Environmental and neighborhood groups sued Sacramento County on Thursday over its approval of a 9,356-home community west of North Natomas, opening a legal fight over whether the region’s housing needs justify expanding urban development onto farmland in the Natomas Basin.

Provides an excellent summary of the lawsuit.

Click here to read the article.

Sacramento’s lawsuit against county ends rubber-stamp era for developers | Opinion

The Sacramento Bee

The rubber stamp era for big developments in Sacramento County is over. There is a new sheriff in town. The city of Sacramento, in a stunning repudiation of Sacramento County, is legally challenging the Board of Supervisors’ unanimous decision in June to approve a new 25,000-resident community in Natomas known as Upper Westside.

Click here to read the article.

City of Sacramento sues county over controversial Natomas housing project

The Sacramento Bee

In a rare move, the city of Sacramento has filed a lawsuit against Sacramento County challenging its approval of Upper Westside, a controversial housing project that could add 25,000 residents to the Natomas basin.

Click here to read the article.

City of Sacramento files own suit against Sac County over Upper Westside Plan approvals

Sacramento Business Journal

The city of Sacramento has filed its own lawsuit against Sacramento County over county supervisors’ June approvals of the Upper Westside Specific Plan. Filed Thursday in Sacramento County Superior Court, the city’s lawsuit contends the county’s environmental review of the project gave short shrift to potential impacts on the Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan and undeveloped areas bordering the city.

Click here to read the article. (article protected by a pay wall)

Supported by former Sacramento mayor, groups file suit over Upper Westside project 

The Sacramento Bee

Three groups filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors’ approval of the Upper Westside project. The board voted 5-0 on June 16 to approve the project, which could add about 25,000 residents to a rural area along the Sacramento River in the Natomas basin west of the city of Sacramento.

Click here to read the article.

Environmental groups file suit challenging Upper Westside Plan approvals

Sacramento Business Journal

A group of environmental organizations filed a lawsuit opposing approvals for the Upper Westside Plan, the 9,300-home project proposed in unincorporated North Natomas. According to the announcement of the suit, groups such as the Environmental Council of Sacramento believe Sacramento County’s review of the project wasn’t adequate under the California Environmental Quality Act.

Click here to read the article. (article protected by a pay wall)