Home Conservation * Planning

Landscape Conservation Planning

Landscape conservation planning takes a proactive approach, identifying priority mitigation and conservation areas in advance of impacts, with the goal of preserving larger areas of higher habitat quality and connectivity. This type of advance planning also results in a more efficient and streamlined permitting approach for development projects.

Natural Community Conservation Planning

The Natural Community Conservation Planning (NCCP) Program promotes collaborative planning efforts designed to provide for the region-wide conservation of plants, animals, and their habitats, while allowing for compatible and appropriate economic activity.

Connectivity and Planning

CDFW works closely with federal, tribal, state, and local agencies to ensure habitat connectivity for wildlife.

Data and Tools

This page is intended as a guide to the correct use and availability of some of the major GIS data layers and decision support tools for large-scale conservation planning both within California and in the Western United States.

Regional Conservation Investment Strategies

The Regional Conservation Investment Strategies (RCIS) Program encourages a voluntary, non-regulatory regional planning process intended to result in high-quality conservation outcomes. The Program consists of three components: regional conservation assessments (RCAs), regional conservation investment strategies (RCISs), and mitigation credit agreements (MCAs).

Advance Mitigation

Prior to project permitting, mitigation can be directed toward priority conservation areas to achieve regional conservation benefits. Existing programs for advance mitigation include Natural Community Conservation Plans, Conservation and Mitigation Banks, and Regional Conservation Investment Strategies.

Conservation and Mitigation Banking

Conservation and mitigation banking in California is overseen and undertaken by several Federal and State Agencies. The Banking Program coordinates with other agencies and stakeholders to develop statewide policy and guidance for the establishment and operation of conservation and mitigation banks.

Endowments and Mitigation Land Management

CDFW shall exercise due diligence when reviewing the qualifications of entities that are seeking to hold conservation easements or manage and steward mitigation lands. In addition, Government Code 65968 specify the requirements for entities applying to hold mitigation endowments.