Promoting Stewardship
Our facilities and operations encompass vast lands and waterways, which are home to wildlife and other valuable natural resources. Developing and maintaining extensive programs to protect these resources is one of PG&E’s top priorities.
Partners in Land Stewardship
PG&E is partnering with the Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council to permanently protect more than 140,000 acres of watershed lands associated with our hydroelectric system and the 655-acre Carizzo Plains in San Luis Obispo County. The Stewardship Council Board adopted a Land Conservation Plan for the property in 2007, providing a framework for how the property will be managed to benefit both the community and the environment. The Stewardship Council also administers a grantmaking program to fund organizations that connect California's youth with the outdoors.
Since the start of the Stewardship Council’s grantmaking program in 2006, approximately 100 organizations have received over $4 million for projects like alternatively-fueled vans for local schools.
Working Together to Protect Species
PG&E’s Migratory Bird Protection Program is a voluntary, proactive and innovative strategy to protect migratory birds, such as the California condor and bald eagles. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognized the program as a "best practice" for our industry. Combined with the company’s broader Avian Protection Plan, PG&E is working with groups like the Ventana Wildlife Society to reduce the risk that overhead wires and electrical equipment pose to birds.
PG&E is partnering with more than a dozen organizations, including Sustainable Conservation, to help restore populations of the rapidly declining tricolored blackbird.
We are also working with a host of partners, including federal and state agencies and academic experts, to save the endangered Shasta crayfish.
Educating Our Customers
We are providing seed funding to Audubon California to support educational programs and habitat restoration at the 6,800-acre Bobcat Ranch. Home to important blue oak, chaparral and riparian habitat, the Bobcat Ranch also connects to the 750,000-acre Blue-Ridge Berryessa Natural Area, a large area of oak woodland and grassland habitat unique to Northern California. PG&E is participating with Audubon's Landowner Stewardship Program to enhance native riparian vegetation at the company's natural gas storage facility, located in close proximity to Bobcat Ranch.
A bird box is installed with the help of a local student, as part of Audubon California's large-scale restoration effort at the Bobcat Ranch. Photo: Audubon California Landowner Stewardship Program.
PG&E is also working with the San Francisco Bay Joint Venture to promote yourwetlands.org, an informational website aimed at educating the public about the importance of protecting, restoring and enhancing wetlands.
Taking an Innovative, Regional Approach
We have also pursued innovative ways to comply with state and federal endangered species and habitat protection requirements. For example, PG&E gained regulatory approval for an Operations and Maintenance Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) developed for the San Joaquin Valley. For more information, visit our Habitat Conservation Plan information page.
Providing Outdoor Recreation
From camping and picnicking to fishing and boating, we have many public recreational facilities available for you and your family to enjoy. For a complete listing of locations and amenities, visit our Recreation Areas information page.
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2008
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