Wade Crowfoot Confirmed as California Secretary for Natural Resources by the State Senate

The former environmental advisor to former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is now Governor Gavin Newsom’s Secretary for Natural Resources after being confirmed by the State Senate on Monday in a bi-partisan vote of 38-0. Gov. Newsom had appointed Crowfoot as California’s Secretary for Natural Resources on Jan. 11.

Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-39^th District-San Diego) praised Crowfoot’s confirmation saying, “Secretary Crowfoot is well suited to lead an agency that directly impacts so many of our communities. He brings a deep appreciation for our natural resources and a strong record of collaboration. We are fortunate to have his experience and commitment at this critical time for California.”

Crowfoot brings over two decades of public policy and environmental leadership to the office, with expertise in water, fisheries, climate and sustainability issues. He is responsible for 19,000 employees charged with protecting and managing California’s diverse resources including the state’s forests and natural lands, rivers and waterways, coast and ocean, fish and wildlife, and energy development. As part of the Newsom cabinet, he advises the Governor on natural resources and environmental issues.

Crowfoot most recently served as chief executive officer of the Water Foundation where he developed innovative partnerships among a broad range of partners including agricultural leaders and environmental conservation groups. The nonprofit philanthropic Water Foundation builds water solutions for communities, the economy and the environment across the American West.

Crowfoot served in former Governor Jerry Brown’s Administration as deputy cabinet secretary and senior advisor to the Governor prior to his position with the Water Foundation. He led the Brown Administration’s drought response efforts and spearheaded several of the Governor’s priority initiatives to build California’s resilience to climate change.

Prior to his position in Gov. Brown’s Administration Crowfoot served as West Coast regional director for the Environmental Defense Fund.  While serving as the senior environmental advisor to former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Crowfoot helped lead many of Mayor Newsom’s nationally-recognized environmental initiatives.

Crowfoot is a 1996 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he received a bachelor’s degree in political science. He earned a master’s degree in public policy from the London School of Economics in 2004, graduating with honors.

Regarding his new position as California Secretary for Natural Resources Crowfoot said, “I’m honored to lead the Natural Resources Agency at this important time. I’m excited to work with my colleagues within the Agency and across the Newsom Administration to manage our resources in a way that allows communities and natural places to thrive, builds our state’s resilience to the challenges of climate change, and strengthens the connection between Californians and nature.”