This November, Californians will have the chance to vote on Proposition 4, a proposed $10 billion bond package aimed at addressing issues related to safe drinking water, wildfire prevention, and climate risk protection for communities and natural lands.
The initiative is officially titled "Proposition 4, the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024." It seeks to transition from disaster response to proactive disaster prevention. A study highlighted that investing in risk reduction before disasters occur saves approximately seven dollars in emergency response and clean-up for every dollar spent.
Accredited zoos and aquariums in California are eligible for $45 million in grants under this proposition. These funds aim to promote climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and species recovery. The Living Desert is among those supporting the measure due to its commitment to desert conservation efforts within the Coachella Valley and surrounding areas.
"Voting Yes on Prop 4 will help The Living Desert make an even bigger impact on desert conservation," stated representatives from The Living Desert. They emphasized the importance of protecting California's unique deserts for future generations.
Proposition 4 outlines major funding allocations as follows: $3.8 billion for safe drinking water, drought management, flood control, and water resilience; $1.2 billion for biodiversity protection and nature-based climate solutions; and $700 million for park creation and outdoor access.