PCL is the only organization solely devoted to making California a better place to live by lobbying the California State Legislature on a full range of environmental issues and by sponsoring environmental initiatives. An official resolution of the Legislature stated that "participation on every key environmental issue before the State Legislature has demonstrated PCL's effectiveness in preserving the quality of life for all Californians."
PCL is California's only statewide environmental coalition. Founded in 1965 by a group of citizens who were concerned about the uncontrolled development taking place throughout the state and the destruction that accompanied it, PCL has fought for more than thirty years to develop a body of environmental laws that is the best in the United States.