SACRAMENTO – Senator John Laird today announced he secured state funding for five projects across San Luis Obispo County, supporting coastal trails and public access, conservation, services for people experiencing homelessness, and a new regional wildlife rehabilitation facility.

“These investments support organizations and projects that make a real difference in San Luis Obispo County, from expanding access to our coast and protecting natural resources to helping people experiencing homelessness and caring for injured wildlife,” said Laird. “I’m delighted to have secured this funding and look forward to seeing these projects move forward.”

The funding secured by Laird includes:

1. San Luis Obispo County for the Avila Beach Trail

The funding, provided to the County of San Luis Obispo, will support preparation of a feasibility study and permit planning for the Avila Beach Trail, stretching from the community of Avila Beach to Harford Pier at Port San Luis.

The project will help improve recreational opportunities, safety, and accessibility along the planned multi-use trail. The Avila Beach Trail would also complete the final segment of the Bob Jones City-to-the-Sea Trail, which begins near the historic Octagon Barn just outside San Luis Obispo, creating a continuous trail connection from the San Luis Obispo area to the coast.

2. California Department of Parks and Recreation for the Hearst Ranch Trail at San Simeon

The funding, provided to California State Parks, will support completion of the first 3.5-mile segment of the Hearst Ranch Trail at San Simeon.

The coastal trail is located near Hearst Castle, which attracts approximately 700,000 visitors each year from the Central Coast, throughout California and beyond. Completing the first segment will expand opportunities for residents and visitors to experience and access this stretch of the North San Luis Obispo County coastline.

3. SLO Beaver Brigade to study the Salinas River

The funding will support the Atascadero-based Beaver Brigade in conducting a conservation study of the iconic Salinas River, which stretches from San Luis Obispo County through Monterey County before emptying into Monterey Bay near Marina.

The study will help identify opportunities for conservation, public access, and habitat restoration along the river corridor, including properties with significant biodiversity value.

4. El Camino Homeless Organization for new dining facility in Paso Robles

The funding will support completion of a new, permanent dining facility at El Camino Homeless Organization’s (ECHO) Paso Robles campus for people experiencing homelessness in Paso Robles and surrounding communities.

ECHO’s Paso Robles campus provides emergency shelter, housing placement, and other services intended to help individuals and families find permanent housing and become self-sufficient.

5. Pacific Wildlife Care for new regional wildlife rehabilitation center

The funding will support completion of Pacific Wildlife Care’s new regional wildlife rehabilitation center in San Luis Obispo County, which is expected to provide wildlife care and services throughout the county and the broader Central Coast region.

Construction is underway on the Kim and Derrel Ridenour Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, a purpose-built facility on 10 acres. The new center will include dedicated space for animal intake and treatment, outdoor aviaries and enclosures, aquatic facilities and areas for staff, volunteers and educational programs.

Pacific Wildlife Care treats nearly 3,000 wild animals representing more than 200 species each year. The new facility will increase its capacity, provide more appropriate spaces to care for different species and establish a permanent home for regional wildlife rehabilitation.

The five allocations are part of funding secured by Laird through the 2026-27 state budget and will be distributed to support the identified local projects and programs.

Additional Budget Wins

The funding comes in addition to other major investments Laird helped secure for San Luis Obispo County this year.

Laird secured an additional $2 million in state funding to help permanently protect Wild Cherry Canyon and expand public access along the San Luis Obispo County coast, building on $40 million he secured in prior state budgets for the effort. The new funding, provided through the State Coastal Conservancy, has enabled the acquisition of Wild Cherry Canyon and adjacent properties, helping conserve the land and enable public access through an extension of the California Coastal Trail through the Irish Hills.

Laird also helped secure an agreement between San Luis Obispo County and PG&E that will provide $16.6 million to local agencies impacted by the continued operation of Diablo Canyon Power Plant. Laird introduced Senate Bill 931 earlier this year to restore community funding that was not extended when the state authorized Diablo Canyon to continue operating through 2030. PG&E subsequently agreed to provide two payments of $8.3 million directly to the county, which will distribute the funding to impacted local agencies, including schools. Laird will continue working to secure support for the remaining three years.