BY MIKE STEVENS
WON Staff Writer
SACRAMENTO – The Nature Conservancy (TNC) announced the selection of Charlton “Chuck” Bonham as Executive Director of its California business unit, effective January 26, 2026. Bonham steps into one of the organization’s most strategically important leadership roles.
The longest-serving Director in the history of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bonham’s legacy at the 115-plus-year-old CDFW is a checkered one, to say the least. During his tenure, salmon seasons were closed for three years, and multiple Delta fish species collapsed due to significant water exportation.
“Chuck Bonham’s legacy lies with the commercial salmon industry shuttered for three years and ocean sportfishing reduced to a mere 6-day season during the same timeframe,” said Vance Staplin, Executive Director of the Golden State Salmon Association (GSSA). “Most all businesses dependent on a healthy salmon fishery have been knocked to their knees struggling to survive during Bonham’s tenure.”
Governor Gavin Newsom on the other hand, celebrated Bonham’s track record with the CDFW.
“Chuck led Fish and Wildlife with heart and conviction—the longest-serving director in its history and a champion for California’s natural heritage,” said Governor Newsom. “From his leadership restoring the Klamath to bringing salmon back to long-lost habitats, his belief that nature can rebound has shaped our state. I’m grateful for his service and counsel, and I look forward to continuing to work with him at The Nature Conservancy.”
The GSSA pulled no punches when it came to Governor Newsom, either.
“Although Chuck Bonham has been the head of CDFW, the disastrous water policies that have wiped out much of the Central Valley’s salmon and other wildlife are now the policies of Gavin Newsom,” added Staplin. “We can hope for a good person to take over at CDFW, but what is really needed is a new governor who recognizes that water policy in California needs a little compromise and balance to bring salmon and many other species back. Californians deserve better.”
Often during Bonham’s tenure, the fishing and hunting communities often called for CDFW leadership who was more sensitive to their specific issues, and more personally active in those activities.
[…] Then there’s salmon. Bonham’s colleagues have publicly praised him for overseeing the removal of four dams along the Klamath River, leading to a salmon renaissance in their historic habitat. While many see that as a major win, it doesn’t represent the bigger, bleaker picture for salmon in the state. The native fish have suffered steep declines amid drought and human development. With the population so low, commercial salmon fishing has been closed for the last three years — earning Bonham scathing criticism. […]
[…] Then there’s salmon. Bonham’s colleagues have publicly praised him for overseeing the removal of four dams along the Klamath River, leading to a salmon renaissance in their historic habitat. While many see that as a major win, it doesn’t represent the bigger, bleaker picture for salmon in the state. The native fish have suffered steep declines amid drought and human development. With the population so low, commercial salmon fishing has been closed for the last three years — earning Bonham scathing criticism. […]
[…] Then there’s salmon. Bonham’s colleagues have publicly praised him for overseeing the removal of four dams along the Klamath River, leading to a salmon renaissance in their historic habitat. While many see that as a major win, it doesn’t represent the bigger, bleaker picture for salmon in the state. The native fish have suffered steep declines amid drought and human development. With the population so low, commercial salmon fishing has been closed for the last three years — earning Bonham scathing criticism. […]
[…] Then there’s salmon. Bonham’s colleagues have publicly praised him for overseeing the elimination of 4 dams alongside the Klamath River, resulting in a salmon renaissance of their historic habitat. Whereas many see that as a significant win, it doesn’t characterize the larger, bleaker image for salmon within the state. The native fish have suffered steep declines amid drought and human improvement. With the inhabitants so low, business salmon fishing has been closed for the final three years — incomes Bonham scathing criticism. […]
[…] Then there’s salmon. Bonham’s colleagues have publicly praised him for overseeing the elimination of 4 dams alongside the Klamath River, resulting in a salmon renaissance of their historic habitat. Whereas many see that as a significant win, it doesn’t signify the larger, bleaker image for salmon within the state. The native fish have suffered steep declines amid drought and human growth. With the inhabitants so low, business salmon fishing has been closed for the final three years — incomes Bonham scathing criticism. […]
[…] Then there’s salmon. Bonham’s colleagues have publicly praised him for overseeing the removing of 4 dams alongside the Klamath River, resulting in a salmon renaissance of their historic habitat. Whereas many see that as a serious win, it doesn’t signify the larger, bleaker image for salmon within the state. The native fish have suffered steep declines amid drought and human improvement. With the inhabitants so low, business salmon fishing has been closed for the final three years — incomes Bonham scathing criticism. […]
[…] Then there’s salmon. Bonham’s colleagues have publicly praised him for overseeing the elimination of 4 dams alongside the Klamath River, resulting in a salmon renaissance of their historic habitat. Whereas many see that as a significant win, it doesn’t signify the larger, bleaker image for salmon within the state. The native fish have suffered steep declines amid drought and human improvement. With the inhabitants so low, industrial salmon fishing has been closed for the final three years — incomes Bonham scathing criticism. […]
[…] Then there’s salmon. Bonham’s colleagues have publicly praised him for overseeing the removing of 4 dams alongside the Klamath River, resulting in a salmon renaissance of their historic habitat. Whereas many see that as a significant win, it doesn’t characterize the larger, bleaker image for salmon within the state. The native fish have suffered steep declines amid drought and human growth. With the inhabitants so low, industrial salmon fishing has been closed for the final three years — incomes Bonham scathing criticism. […]
[…] Lalu ada salmon. Rekan-rekan Bonham secara terbuka memujinya karena mengawasi pembongkaran empat bendungan di sepanjang Sungai Klamath, Menghasilkan kebangkitan salmon di habitat bersejarahnya. Meskipun banyak yang melihat hal ini sebagai kemenangan besar, hal ini tidak mewakili gambaran yang lebih besar dan lebih gelap bagi salmon di negara bagian tersebut. Ikan asli mengalami penurunan tajam di tengah kekeringan dan pembangunan manusia. Ketika populasinya menurun, salmon ditangkap secara komersial Telah ditutup selama tiga tahun terakhir – Bonham menang Kritik yang keras. […]
[…] Then there’s salmon. Bonham’s colleagues have publicly praised him for overseeing the removing of 4 dams alongside the Klamath River, resulting in a salmon renaissance of their historic habitat. Whereas many see that as a significant win, it doesn’t signify the larger, bleaker image for salmon within the state. The native fish have suffered steep declines amid drought and human improvement. With the inhabitants so low, industrial salmon fishing has been closed for the final three years — incomes Bonham scathing criticism. […]
[…] Then there’s salmon. Bonham’s colleagues have publicly praised him for overseeing the removal of four dams along the Klamath River, leading to a salmon renaissance in their historic habitat. While many see that as a major win, it doesn’t represent the bigger, bleaker picture for salmon in the state. The native fish have suffered steep declines amid drought and human development. With the population so low, commercial salmon fishing has been closed for the last three years — earning Bonham scathing criticism. […]
[…] Then there’s salmon. Bonham’s colleagues have publicly praised him for overseeing the removal of four dams along the Klamath River, leading to a salmon renaissance in their historic habitat. While many see that as a major win, it doesn’t represent the bigger, bleaker picture for salmon in the state. The native fish have suffered steep declines amid drought and human development. With the population so low, commercial salmon fishing has been closed for the last three years — earning Bonham scathing criticism. […]
Comments are closed.