A Special Distinction for the Santa Cruz Mountains

California Senate Bill 949 designated the Santa Cruz Mountains as a Resource of Statewide Significance and was signed into law on September 25, 2026 by Governor Newsom. The bill was written by Senator Becker and co-authored by Senator Laird and Assembly Member Berman, with sponsorship from the Sempervirens Fund and Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MidPen).

The bill was further supported by the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), Amah Mutsun Land Trust, and Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority.

The distinction formally acknowledged the cultural, historical, and environmental value of the area which spans San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties. It recognizes its unique habitats, recreational opportunities, and ecological benefits. The law directs the California Natural Resources Agency and its affiliates to encourage collaborative stewardship of the region and creates a framework for interagency coordination.

Goals of the bill include protecting and restoring watersheds, natural habitats, and forests. It expands public access, fosters regional partnerships to protect both natural and working lands, partners with local tribes to protect ancestral lands, and supports climate resiliency for private landowners. The statute ensures that the Santa Cruz Mountains remain an important part of California’s ecological heritage.