Fresno County Officials Clash Over Use of Human Compost on Public Land

San Joaquin River Conservancy and Parkway Trust at odds over unauthorized compost use at habitat restoration site

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The San Joaquin River Conservancy and the San Joaquin River Parkway Trust, two partner organizations in Fresno County, California, are in conflict over the use of human compost at a habitat restoration site along the San Joaquin River. Fresno County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld and other officials claim the compost was used without their knowledge or approval, and they have sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Parkway Trust demanding the practice be stopped. The Parkway Trust defends the use of the compost, saying it is environmentally beneficial, but the Conservancy argues it violates their agreement and may take legal action.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the tensions that can arise between conservation efforts and the use of emerging technologies like human composting. The Conservancy and Parkway Trust are meant to collaborate on projects, but the unauthorized use of human compost has led to a public rift that could impact future conservation work in the area. It also raises questions about the oversight and approval process for novel practices on public lands.

The details

The human compost was provided by a company called Earth Funeral and used at the Sumner Peck Ranch habitat restoration site near Solitary Cellars off Friant Road in Fresno County. Parkway Trust Executive Director Sharon Weaver says they saw the compost as a cost-saving and environmentally-friendly way to aid their restoration efforts. However, Conservancy officials claim they were never made aware of or approved the use of human compost, which they say violates their agreement. The Conservancy is now threatening legal action if the practice is not stopped, and local politicians are looking to pass legislation banning human compost use in the county.

  • In May 2025, the Parkway Trust received its first delivery of human compost from Earth Funeral.
  • In November 2025, families of the deceased whose remains were used in the compost were welcomed onto the Sumner Peck Ranch property.

The players

San Joaquin River Conservancy

A state agency that partners with the San Joaquin River Parkway Trust on habitat restoration and conservation efforts along the San Joaquin River.

San Joaquin River Parkway Trust

A non-profit organization that works with the San Joaquin River Conservancy on restoration projects and managing public access to the river.

Garry Bredefeld

Fresno County Supervisor and member of the San Joaquin River Conservancy Board.

Sharon Weaver

Executive Director of the San Joaquin River Parkway Trust.

Earth Funeral

A company based in Washington State that provides human composting services.

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What they’re saying

“This is public land. This should not have occurred. This is about as stupid a decision as one can make.”

— Garry Bredefeld, Fresno County Supervisor and San Joaquin River Conservancy Board Member (yourcentralvalley.com)

“We have ceased, and we're working — we want to work with them cooperatively to make sure that we can resolve this issue. And we don't believe that there's anything wrong here. We think this is a good thing for the environment and for people.”

— Sharon Weaver, Executive Director, San Joaquin River Parkway Trust (yourcentralvalley.com)

What’s next

Fresno County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld and Supervisor Nathan Magsig are working on legislation to ban the use of human compost in the county when it becomes legal in 2027. The San Joaquin River Conservancy has also threatened legal action if the Parkway Trust does not stop using the human compost.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the need for clear policies and approval processes when it comes to novel practices on public lands. While human composting may have environmental benefits, the lack of transparency and collaboration between the Conservancy and Parkway Trust has led to a public clash that could undermine future conservation efforts in the region.