The practice of watershed restoration is an important statement by the people of California that the battle for watershed resource protection will be waged now, while there are a number of options, rather than later, when there are few or none. We believe, however, that by engaging many of the pressing resource concerns at broader levels, over larger landscapes, and over longer planning horizons, we will be able to find greater latitude for flexible land management, rather than less. For example, by acting sooner, rather than later, to protect habitat of declining species, the strict requirements of endangered species laws may be avoided. Through bringing together private and public land managers, commitments have been made that the federal lands will shoulder a proportionately greater share of habitat protection burdens, leaving more management options for private land owners. CDF is committed to being a leader in helping California take full advantage of the natural resource and community integrating powers of watersheds.
Watershed is best.