Regional
Regional Agencies Unite Local Jurisdictions for a Common Purpose
Whether an association of governments, climate collaborative, air district, or transportation agency, regional government agencies provide substantial benefits by aligning and integrating broader solutions to common issues faced by local jurisdictions in a region. Innovations that make regional strategies effective are key. Ascent’s Innovate Openly core value often adds value to our work with regional agencies.
- Community planning
- Education
- Energy
- Parks, trails, and open space
- Resource management
- Sustainable Communities Strategies
- Transportation
- Water
- Wildfire/forest heath
- Association of Bay Area Governments
- Fresno Council of Governments
- Metropolitan Transportation Commission
- Sacramento Area Council of Governments
- San Diego Association of Governments
- Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
- Southern California Association of Governments
- Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
- Tahoe Transportation District
ClearPath 2.0, a next-generation climate planning platform developed by ICLEI USA and ClimateView, is transforming how local governments visualize, track, and implement climate goals. The City of Elk Grove recently pioneered the platform’s implementation, demonstrating how this innovative tool addresses persistent challenges in climate action planning—from enhancing transparency to enabling precise impact quantification.
On October 10, 2024, the California Fish and Game Commission accepted a petition to list western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) and designated the species as a candidate species. This decision has triggered a 12-month status review by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). A decision on whether to list this species is expected by spring of 2026; however, as a candidate species, western burrowing owl is afforded the same protections as a listed species under CESA, including prohibition of take of individuals.
AB 2091 was signed by Governor Newsom on September 22, 2024, creating a new CEQA exemption for non-motorized public access. The new exemption applies to park districts and the Great Redwood Trail Agency (GRTA) when providing new nonmotorized public access to existing roads, trails, parking areas, and similar areas owned by the park district or GRTA. To use the new exemption, the lead agency must hold a public meeting to solicit input, consider effects on natural and tribal cultural resources, make required findings, and file a Notice of Exemption.
