Conservation Strategy Group, LLC is a Sacramento-based consulting and lobbying firm specializing in environmental and natural resources strategy and advocacy. Conservation Strategy Group represents land trusts, environmental groups, conservancies and public agencies before the California Legislature and administrative agencies. We also work with our clients to develop project and program strategies and to pursue public funding to support their conservation and resource management objectives. Conservation Strategy Group was founded in 2003 by Joseph Caves and Leslie Friedman Johnson.
Between them, Mr. Caves and Ms. Friedman Johnson have more than 50 years experience in state and federal government relations, with emphasis on natural resources and conservation policy and funding. While known best for success in developing and securing public funding, Conservation Strategy Group provides a wide array of services including policy development, research, strategic plan development and coalition building, as well as legislative and administrative lobbying. We also have strategic alliances with firms specializing in resources law, public opinion polling, campaign strategy and media and public relations which we draw upon as needed in service of our clients' needs.
Natural Resources BondsJoe Caves and Leslie Friedman Johnson drafted and organized the successful campaign for Proposition 50, a $3.44 billion water bond passed in November 2002. Proposition 50, the largest natural resources bond ever passed in California, was the first successful water bond placed on the ballot by initiative. Ms. Friedman Johnson and Mr. Caves also represented environmental interests in the development, drafting, campaign and passage of Proposition 40, a $2.6 billion park bond on the March 2002 ballot, as well as Propositions 12 ($2.1 billion park bond) and 13 ($1.9 billion water bond) in 2000.
CA State Budget AdvocacyConservation Strategy Group represents a variety of land trusts, environmental groups, conservancies and public agencies on budget issues, helping to secure both program and project funding for conservation efforts. We work directly with the Administration and the legislature on budget legislation and related policy bills. We strive to secure programmatic funding for key natural resources programs that reflect broad priorities.
Project FundingConservation Strategy Group provides advice and assistance to clients in obtaining project funding from numerous state agency programs including but not limited to those managed by the Resources Agency, Department of Fish and Game, CALFED Bay-Delta Program, Wildlife Conservation Board, Coastal Conservancy, Department of Conservation, Department of Parks and Recreation, Department of Water Resources and the State Water Resources Control Board. Much of this work is focused on helping ensure that client's projects are well-aligned with state priorities.
Natural Resources Policy & LegislationConservation Strategy Group principles have extensive experience on a variety of natural resource policy issues. Mr. Caves and Ms. Friedman Johnson have worked for decades with clients, state and federal agencies, Congress and the California State Legislature to develop administrative policies and legislation in numerous issues areas including water management, endangered species protection, land use, ecosystem restoration, flood management, stormwater, coastal protection, air quality, water quality, and energy.
Lobbying ReportingConservation Strategy Group will file all required lobbying reports for our clients.
About the Partners |
Joseph L. Caves, Partner
Joseph L. Caves is an attorney and registered lobbyist in California specializing in environmental and natural resources law and policy. Prior to co-founding Conservation Strategy Group in 2003, Mr. Caves was sole proprietor of the lobbying firm Joseph Caves and Associates for 10 years. He has served in the California State Legislature for more than a decade as a committee consultant and legislative staff director. Mr. Caves has extensive experience negotiating, drafting and lobbying legislation, and working the state budget. In addition, he has specialized in developing public funding sources and crafting political strategies to advance environmental and natural resource protection. Mr. Caves was the principal author of Propositions 50 and 84, and was also instrumental in the development of Propositions 12, 13 and 40. He has expertise in a wide array of natural resources areas including land use, water policy, land conservation, coastal protection, CEQA, climate change, and forestry. Mr. Caves is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara and of Hastings College of the Law. He is a member of the Environmental Law Section of the California State Bar Association.
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Leslie Friedman-Johnson, Partner
Leslie Friedman-Johnson has worked on California natural resource issues as a lobbyist and government relations strategist for more than 20 years. She has extensive experience in strategic planning, project management, coalition building, state and federal legislative and administrative lobbying, and helping create new public funding sources. In addition to helping craft and pass state and federal policy legislation and bond measures, Ms. Friedman-Johnson specializes in working directly with clients to shape their programs and projects to be more effective and to better compete for state and federal funding. She has particular expertise in California water policy, land conservation, sustainable cities, watershed management, parks, coastal protection, storm water and flood management. Before co-founding CSG in 2003, Ms. Friedman-Johnson worked for The Nature Conservancy of California for 16 years in a variety of government relations roles. She is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in Natural Resource Science and Policy.
About the StaffReed Addis, Legislative Director
Reed Addis provides strategic and legislative support for CSG's clients. This includes the establishment of advocacy programs, development of policy positions and relationships within the Legislature and Administration. Mr. Addis works with legislators, agency staff, and other advocates to monitor political processes to help clients maximize their influence over policy decisions and increase funding opportunities for their programs. He joined in CSG in 2005, after serving as a senior assistant to Assembly Budget Chair John Laird, in the California State Legislature. Mr. Addis has also served Representative Sam Farr and Assemblymember Fred Keeley and has extensive experience with issues ranging from ocean policy and flood control to environmental protection and community development, housing and education. Mr. Addis received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies and Politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Connie Gallippi, Senior Policy Consultant
Ms. Gallippi provides lobbying and strategic consulting assistance to clients on state policy and funding programs related to urban sustainability issues. Ms. Gallippi has 10 years of experience in the environmental field, including private sector consulting and project management on issues and projects throughout California, and non-profit regional program management. Connie specializes in urban forestry and urban greening issues, as well as land use planning and sustainable communities. Ms. Gallippi has a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech in Forestry and Natural Resource Management and is an ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) certified arborist.
Steve Johnson, Senior Advisor
Stephen P. Johnson represents the Conservation Strategy Group in the areas of land conservation, water policy, land use and endangered species conservation. Steve works with CSG clients to develop strategies to help them identify, refine and achieve their conservation objectives. Prior to joining CSG in 2008, Steve served as the Director of Global Mediterranean Habitat Conservation for The Nature Conservancy. Steve’s 34 year conservation career with The Nature Conservancy ranged from land management, ecological restoration, conservation planning, and conservation science to climate change policy, strategic planning and government relations. Additionally, Steve has work with the Resources Legacy Fund and the Resources Law Group to develop conservation grant making programs. Steve is a graduate of San Francisco State University with an MA in Geography.
Jessica Little, Research Assistant
Jessica Little is as research assistant specializing in public funding for natural resources. Her work includes researching, monitoring, and reporting on state and federal funding programs. Jessica works with CSG clients to help them achieve their project funding goals. She joined Conservation Strategy Group in January 2007. Jessica graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Environmental Studies from California State University Sacramento.
Chris Mertens, Legislative Assistant
Chris Mertens is a Legislative Assistant for CSG. Prior to joining CSG, Chris interned in Washington DC for the Congressional Oversight Committee and volunteered on two campaigns. He also interned with CSG for six months in 2008 before living in New Zealand for a year. Chris is a graduate of UC Davis with a degree in Political Science and a minor in History.
Crystal Muhlenkamp, Legislative Policy Associate
Ms. Muhlenkamp works on legislative policy in the areas of climate change, oceans, urban sustainability, and public financing. Prior to joining CSG, Ms. Muhlenkamp clerked for the Center for Public Interest Law, the California Legislative Counsel Bureau, and the California Fair Political Practices Commission. She is a graduate of the University of California at Davis and the University Of San Diego School of Law.
Tasha Newman, Director of Client Services
Tasha Newman is a Client Manager and a Public Funding Specialist. She handles all aspects of client services including project management, reporting, and contracts. Tasha provides consulting assistance to clients related to funding program requirements and procedures. She assists clients with grant proposal development and submission. Tasha has worked in the environmental consulting field for more than 19 years and prior to joining CSG, served the Toxics Assessment Group as manager and project assistant. She is a graduate from the California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.
Becky Patterson, Operations Manager
Becky Patterson has served as CSG's Operations manager since 2004. Ms. Patterson oversees all administrative functions of the office including Human Resources, Personnel, Contracts, Information Technology, Accounts Payable, and Accounts Receivable. Ms. Patterson has an extensive background in bookkeeping and inventory control. Ms. Patterson graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.
Kelly Solov, Executive Assistant
Kelly Solov provides CSG’s partners, Leslie Friedman-Johnson and Joseph Caves, with support and management of daily activities and projects. She coordinates client projects and helps manage campaign services. Prior to joining CSG, Kelly worked as a legislative aide for the California State Assembly. A graduate of California State University – Sacramento, Kelly holds a BA in Human Development.
Kristopher Tjernell, Legislative Policy Associate
Kristopher Tjernell, a registered lobbyist, joined CSG in 2007. Mr. Tjernell currently assists with legislative and administrative priorities related to land conservation and statewide water policy issues. Prior to joining CSG, Mr. Tjernell worked for various universities and consulting firms as a field ecologist, examining the behavioral relationships between wildlife species and their environments. He is a graduate from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Sciences in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.