Press Release
Posted:
Point Richmond, CA – On Tuesday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) was honored as CalWild’s 2025 California Conservation Champion for his steadfast advocacy and legislative accomplishments in safeguarding more California wilderness than any other living California Member of Congress.
“I’m grateful to CalWild for this recognition and for their nearly 50 years of tireless work to protect California’s public lands,” said Thompson. “As an avid outdoorsman and lifelong conservationist, I’ve always believed our public lands belong to everyone—not just for today, but for generations to come. It’s been an honor to work alongside CalWild to protect and restore the wild places that define our great state.”
"Congressman Thompson has been a stalwart leader for conservation of California's wild places and rivers for decades, and CalWild was delighted to celebrate his many achievements for our state,” said Mark Green, Executive Director of CalWild.
BACKGROUND
CalWild presented the California Conservation Champion award during their annual reception on June 17, 2025, recognizing Thompson’s decades-long record of public lands leadership. Thompson delivered brief remarks at the event, highlighting the importance of conservation and CalWild’s vital role in protecting California’s wilderness, rivers, and biodiversity.
As a Member of Congress, Thompson has authored and passed legislation—now signed into law—that permanently protects over 1 million acres of public land in California. He also wrote the legislation to designate the Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a National Monument, protecting over 330,000 acres of wildlife habitat, rare plants, and clean water sources. President Barack Obama signed that designation into law in 2015 and Thompson championed President Biden's expansion of the monument in 2024. In addition to his legislative work, Rep. Thompson serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus and as a member of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, where he has helped conserve over 4 million acres of wetlands and uplands across North America.