The RCA Board of Directors unanimously appointed Lake Elsinore Mayor Natasha Johnson to a third term as RCA Chair last month. The RCA Board of Directors also elected Norco City Councilmember Kevin Bash as Vice-Chair.

Since 2021, the RCA has spent nearly $27.5 million to acquire more than 3,436 of acres of land to support the region’s plant and animal species and protect open space for surrounding communities. In addition, the RCA reestablished the Stakeholders Committee to continue building meaningful partnerships with the region’s stakeholders, and in 2022, the RCA received $6,755,624 million in Non-Traditional Section 6 grant funds for land acquisition to support habitat conservation. 

Chair Johnson was first elected RCA Chair in 2021. Since then, she has successfully help navigate the RCA’s transition to new management under the Riverside County Transportation Commission, supported efforts for land acquisition for the MSHCP, and increased stakeholder engagement with the Board of Directors.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as Chair for a third consecutive year,” Chair Johnson said. “The RCA has accomplished a tremendous amount of work to protect plant and animal species for future generations. We are leading the discussion in Sacramento and in Washington D.C. to bring more state and federal funding to support our conservation efforts. With the help of my fellow board members, we will make great strides this year to continue fulfilling the mission of the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan and its project delivery streamlining benefit for critically needed housing and infrastructure projects.”

In 2023, Chair Johnson will continue to focus on fulfilling the mission of the MSHCP and educating the public about the benefits of land conservation for MSHCP and local communities.