California: A hiss-torical day: Governor Newsom signs bills establishing state snake, state shrub
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~ In a momentous day for California, Governor Gavin Newsom has signed two bills that establish new state symbols. The bigberry manzanita has been designated as the state shrub, while the giant garter snake is now the official state snake.

The announcement was made today in Los Angeles, where Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of celebrating California's unique ecosystems. He stated, "Our state symbols celebrate California's uniqueness, especially our distinctive ecosystems." He also highlighted California's status as a global biodiversity hotspot, with the highest number of species and endemic species in the United States.

Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura) authored AB 581, which designates the bigberry manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca) as the official state shrub. This shrub is primarily found in California and possesses unique abilities that make it highly adaptable to wildfire-prone land. Its rapid regeneration after fire exposure and fire-triggered seed germination make it a valuable tool for preventing mudslides and erosion in wildfire burn scars.

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On the other hand, Senator Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) introduced SB 765 to establish the giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas) as the state snake. This species is endemic to California and has seen a drastic decline in population over the last century. It was listed as threatened under both the California Endangered Species Act and Federal Endangered Species Act.

Governor Newsom expressed concern over this decline and stated that "the population of giant garter snakes has declined by more than 90% in the last century." He hopes that by designating it as a state symbol, more attention will be brought to its conservation efforts.

In addition to these two bills, Governor Newsom also signed four other pieces of legislation today. These include measures to protect pets and pet owners from puppy mills and improve animal welfare, reforming California's insurer of last resort, and improving literacy support for students.

The Governor's actions today demonstrate his commitment to protecting California's unique environment and promoting the well-being of its residents. With the bigberry manzanita and giant garter snake now recognized as state symbols, they will continue to be celebrated and protected for generations to come.

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