Invasive Weeds Awareness Day at the Capitol

Attendees headed to the Capitol

Photo courtesy Bob Case

Each March, Day at the Capitol brings weed workers from across the state to Sacramento. The day features opportunities to educate state legislators and to learn about current policy initiatives. Attendees from previous years are credited with securing renewed funding for the state's Weed Management Area program in 2006 and 2007!

Working to protect California's land and water from invasive weeds? Join us in Sacramento to help strengthen the policy environment for your invasive weed work! Can't attend but still want to make a difference? Join our letter writing campaign!

Day at the Capitol 2008

Join us for the 5^th Annual Day at the Capitol, and help us protect weed funding from budget cuts! The Weed Management Area program had its funding renewed in 2006 thanks to your efforts, and has successfully avoided budget cuts so far this year. Let's keep it that way. Help us remind legislators that funding for Weed Management Areas is a sound investment in California's future.

Our morning session will feature updates on the California Wildlife Action Plan, the long-range vision for CDFA's weed programs, statewide mapping efforts, progress in implementating the state weed plan, and the potential for establishing a statewide invasive species council. Then we do a quick "how to" for making legislative visits, and head to the Capitol in small teams to visit the offices of our elected officials -- we organize it all. Afterward we will regroup to share information from our visits, and get together over a beer to toast our work! Registration is free and lunch is provided.

Previous Days at the Capitol

2007

The 4^th Annual Day at the Capitol, March 14, 2007, brought weed workers and concerned citizens to Sacramento to hear about state weed programs, funding sources, and new initiatives. The advocacy in the afternoon focused on urging legislators to support SB 311 (Cogdill) to bring Weed Management Area funding up to $2.5 million.

2007 Day at the Capitol Agenda (pdf)
CALIWAC Advocacy Package for Day at the Capitol 2007 (pdf)

2006

Attendees heard updates on key Sacramento issues during the morning session, then met with representatives or staffers at nearly 50 legislative offices in the afternoon. Visits focused on two positions: support for AB 2479 to fund local Weed Management Areas, and implementation of the 2005 California Noxious and Invasive Weed Action Plan produced by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (see Position Statement). Advocacy for WMA funding was enhanced by letters of support sent by over 100 organizations statewide. Efforts resulted in $1.5 million in renewed funding for the WMA program.

2006 Day at the Capitol Agenda (pdf)
CALIWAC Position Statements for Day at the Capitol 2006 (pdf)

2005

Resources Secretary Mike Chrisman joined Secretary A.G. Kawamura of the California Department of Food and Agriculture in speaking to the standing-room-only audience. Both agency heads noted that increased coordination to stop the introduction and spread of invasive species was a top priority for their respective agencies.

Fifty-three attendees worked in teams to meet with 80 legislators and/or staff members to discuss important statewide issues including Weed Management Area funding, the California State Weed Plan, and California Invasive Weeds Awareness Week activities. An informational packet, including the position statements and contact information, was left with each legislator/staff member visited. Attendees also dropped off packets at 37 additional legislative offices, giving full coverage at all Capitol offices.

Source: California Invasive Plant Council