SACRAMENTO – The State Senate on Monday confirmed Wade Crowfoot as California secretary for Natural Resources in a bipartisan vote of 38-0.

“I’m honored to lead the Natural Resources Agency at this important time,” Crowfoot said. “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.”

Crowfoot oversees an agency of 19,000 employees charged with protecting and managing California’s diverse resources. This includes stewarding the state’s forests and natural lands, rivers and waterways, coast and ocean, fish and wildlife, and energy development.

As a member of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s cabinet, he advises the governor on natural resources and environmental issues.

“Secretary Crowfoot is well suited to lead an agency that directly impacts so many of our communities,” Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) said. “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 was appointed California secretary for Natural Resources by Gov. Newsom on Jan. 11. He brings over two decades of public policy and environmental leadership to the office, with expertise in water, fisheries, climate and sustainability issues.

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

Prior to joining the foundation, Crowfoot served in Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration as deputy cabinet secretary and senior advisor to the governor. In that role he led the administration’s drought response efforts and spearheaded several of the governor’s priority initiatives to build California’s resilience to climate change.

He previously served as West Coast regional director for the Environmental Defense Fund and as senior environmental advisor to then-San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, where he helped to lead many of Mayor Newsom’s nationally-recognized environmental initiatives.

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