Joshua Basofin

Josh with a yellow-eyed penguin on the South Island of New Zealand California Representative


Areas of Expertise: California water law, freshwater fisheries conservation, California coastal issues, water supply policy, wetlands and groundwater issues

Josh leads the California Program’s work on freshwater fishery protection. This includes efforts to maintain streamflow and groundwater levels in watersheds, both of which are key habitat characteristics. He works on wetland policies at the federal and state level, ensuring adequate protection for the remaining wetland systems in California. Josh also monitors industrial facilities that use seawater for processing, a practice that kills small marine organisms.

Prior to joining Defenders of Wildlife, Josh was Freshwater Program Manager at Environment Now. In that capacity he used litigation and administrative appeals to protect watersheds and coastal areas throughout California. He also previously worked on conservation planning for The Nature Conservancy and as a farmhand, ESL teacher and restoration field worker.

Josh holds a BA in English and Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He received his law degree, with honors, from Chicago-Kent College of Law. While in law school, Josh earned a certificate from the Program in Environmental and Energy Law and served as President of the Environmental Law Society. Josh is licensed to practice law in Illinois.

Contact Information
Phone: (916) 313-5800 x108
Email: josh.basofin@defenders.org