CDFW News

WCB Approves $59.6 Million for Wildlife Crossings, Salmon Recovery, Biodiversity and Public Access Projects

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 12:01:42 GMT

Photo of mountain lion by Dan Potter.

Funding Supports Biodiversity Hotspots and Expanded Access to Nature Across California

The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) approved $59,642,096 in grants for 27 projects across 18 counties to protect biodiversity, restore important wildlife habitats and improve public access to nature. Among these, five projects advance the California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future, restoring floodplains, improving stream complexity, and enhancing spawning and rearing habitat for coho salmon, Chinook salmon and steelhead. Projects also include investments in wildlife corridors, oak woodlands and grasslands, and wildlife-oriented recreation.

The board met at the California Natural Resources Agency headquarters in Sacramento.

WCB’s grants advance Gov. Gavin Newsom’s goal of conserving 30 percent of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030, a globally adopted target known as 30x30. The initiative seeks to protect biodiversity, expand access to nature for all Californians and adapt to climate change.

Advancing Wildlife Crossings in Southern California

A $5.5 million grant to Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) will fund environmental review and design for two wildlife crossings over State Route 62 near Yucca Valley, reconnecting habitat between the San Bernardino and Little San Bernardino mountains, including Joshua Tree National Park. An additional $4 million grant to Temecula-Elsinore-Anza-Murrieta Resource Conservation District (TEAM RCD), in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), will advance design of a crossing over Interstate 15 in western Riverside County, restoring connectivity between the Santa Ana and Palomar mountains for mountain lions and other wide-ranging species.

“Desert communities exist at the intersection of people, wildlife and wide-open landscapes,” said Kelly Herbinson, executive director of MDLT. “The proposed wildlife crossings will restore natural movement of animals, reduce dangerous wildlife-vehicle collisions and strengthen the ecosystems that sustain us. Thanks to WCB and our partners, we can invest in solutions that protect wildlife while supporting safer roads and resilient communities.”

“WCB’s support will enhance highway safety and ensure wildlife can continue their path without entering human communities,” said Teri Biancardi, president of TEAM RCD. “This planning effort will demonstrate how restoring wildlife corridors goes hand in hand with local residents’ quality of life.”

Investing in the Governor’s Salmon Strategy

A $2.9 million grant to California Trout Inc. will restore 0.33 miles of the East Fork Scott River at Beaver Valley Headwaters Preserve in Siskiyou County. The project, led in part by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (NCRWQCB), will add side channels, alcoves and large wood structures, reconnect floodplains and improve summer flows for coho salmon.

"Beaver Valley Headwaters Preserve incorporates multiple cold-water tributaries in one corridor,” said Eli Scott, senior environmental scientist for NCRWQCB. “This project is a huge opportunity to build habitat for coho salmon and give them a foothold."

A $1.1 million grant to Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) will support Lagunitas Creek Aquatic Habitat Enhancement, Phase 2a, in cooperation with the California Department of Water Resources. The project restores stream habitat for coho salmon, steelhead and other native species.

"We are grateful to WCB for their support on this project," said Jed Smith, president of the MMWD Board of Directors. "Through this collaboration, we are making meaningful progress in enhancing Lagunitas Creek and strengthening our watershed."

A $$1.85 million grant to Chico State Enterprises will restore floodplains and habitat on lower Battle Creek in Tehama County for endangered salmon and steelhead, including construction of a side channel, removal of 1,700 linear feet of defunct levee and placement of large wood and boulders to create salmon habitat.

A $1.5 million grant to Sonoma County Regional Parks will restore stream complexity and spawning habitat for coho, Chinook and steelhead on Mark West Creek in Sonoma County.

A $3.65 million grant to the Yosemite River Alliance will restore nearly a quarter mile of the Tuolumne River near La Grange, reconnecting the river to its historic floodplain to improve spawning and rearing conditions for fall-run Chinook salmon and steelhead.

Enhancing Biodiversity at Pepperwood Preserve

A $1.75 million grant to Pepperwood Foundation (PF), in cooperation with Conservation Corps North Bay, will restore 893 acres of oak woodland and grasslands in Sonoma County. The project reduces fuel loads, enhances biodiversity, restores native grasslands and oak woodlands, and brings back cultural burning as part of land stewardship.

“The Pepperwood project will enhance wildlife habitat in a biodiversity ‘hot spot’ in the Mayacamas Mountains of Sonoma County,” said Michael Gillogly, preserve manager for PF. “Oak woodlands and native grasslands provide habitat for wildlife and pollinators threatened by poor stewardship and development. The project includes indigenous cultural fire, forest thinning, grassland restoration and invasive species treatments.”

Expanding Public Access at Watsonville Slough

A $4.88 million grant to the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County (LTSCC) will construct a five-mile trail network and new visitor amenities at Watsonville Slough Farm. The project will provide free access to wetlands, grasslands and working agricultural lands, with bilingual interpretation, educational programming and improved connections for underserved communities.

“I am so pleased that the Watsonville Slough Trails project has been approved!” said Sen. John Laird, D-Santa Cruz. “The project will open the outdoors for young people and others who have historically been excluded from such opportunities. Hats off to WCB for its vision and support, which will enable people to explore and feel inspired by the natural world in this beautiful region of the Central Coast."

“At LTSCC, we believe everyone should be able to connect with nature and learn from our incredible wild and working lands,” said Sarah Newkirk, executive director of LTSCC. “This funding from WCB will help people of all ages immerse themselves in nature and learn about the native habitat and sloughs that make Santa Cruz County special.”

About the Wildlife Conservation Board

Established in 1947, the Wildlife Conservation Board protects, restores and enhances California’s spectacular natural resources for wildlife and the public’s use and enjoyment. WCB works in partnership with Tribes, conservation groups, government agencies and the people of California to safeguard biodiversity and expand access to nature.

For more information about WCB, visit wcb.ca.gov. To explore the newly funded projects, visit WCB’s StoryMaps pages.

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Media Contact:
Mark Topping, WCB Communications, (916) 539-4673

Wildlife Conservation Board Awards $37 Million in Grants to 14 Habitat Conservation and Restoration Projects

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 10:00:00 GMT

Awards Include Funding for the Restoration of 1,300 Acres of Tidal Marsh and 800 Acres of Enhanced Aquatic Managed Pond Habitat in Alameda County, Part of the Largest Tidal Wetland Restoration Effort on the West Coast

The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) approved 14 habitat protection and restoration projects spanning 14 counties across more than 4,700 acres at its Feb. 26 quarterly meeting.

One of the grants restores 1,300 acres of tidal marsh habitat at the Congressman Pete Stark Ecological Reserve at Eden Landing, near the cities of Hayward and Union City on the east San Francisco Bay shoreline. This landscape-scale restoration project balances the needs of tidal marsh-dependent and estuarine species with waterbirds that rely on pond habitats by enhancing existing ponds and restoring tidal wetlands.

The WCB’s $5.35 million grant to Ducks Unlimited, Inc. — in a cooperative project with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), California State Coastal Conservancy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — increases biodiversity, improves water quality, protects bayside communities against extreme weather events and improves opportunities for public access and recreation.

“Southern Eden Landing is a unique stretch of East Bay shoreline that plays a critical role for waterbirds, fish, other wildlife and people,” said Renee Spenst, Ph.D., regional biologist for Ducks Unlimited, San Francisco Bay and California Coast. “This project represents true landscape-scale restoration, providing homes for plovers, terns, rails, salmon, sturgeon and leopard sharks. It is situated in an easily accessible location near the communities of Union City and Hayward, for all Bay Area residents. The WCB's partnership is essential to the success of this significant endeavor, joining other federal, state, regional and nonprofit partners.”

WCB’s grants advance Gov. Gavin Newsom’s goal of conserving 30 percent of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030, an initiative known as 30x30. The initiative seeks to protect biodiversity, expand access to nature for all Californians and fight and adapt to climate change.

Other funded projects include:

A $4 million grant to the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency for the preservation of Richmond Ranch, protecting 1,218 acres of critical habitats and biodiversity while also providing future opportunities for wildlife-oriented public use. The property borders thousands of acres of protected land, enhancing connectivity and ensuring long-term ecological and recreational benefits for Santa Clara County.
“The Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency is grateful to the WCB and other grant funders, as well as The Conservation Fund (TCF), for facilitating the final phase of acquisition of the larger 3,654-acre Richmond Ranch,” said Edmund Sullivan, executive director for the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency. “Conservation of this property will help protect important wildlife linkages between Joseph D. Grant Park and Henry W. Coe State Park and between protected open spaces along Coyote Ridge, and will support habitat for endangered species, including critical habitat for the California red-legged frog, California tiger salamander and Bay checkerspot butterfly.”
A $5.77 million grant to the California Waterfowl Association (CWA), in collaboration with CDFW, to upgrade water conveyance structures and improve water use efficiency to enhance the management and stewardship of wetlands at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area in Riverside County.
Planned improvements include the creation of a 200-acre wetland sanctuary to support brooding and molting waterfowl, as well as nesting tri-colored blackbirds. Additionally, the project will restore 585 acres of seasonal wetlands and install a water recovery system, enabling the reuse of up to 1000 acre-feet of water per year from drained seasonal wetlands. These enhancements will ensure year-round wildlife access for the public.
"As one of the largest freshwater marshes near the Southern California coast, this wetland jewel is extremely important, especially for wintering and migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. Tens of thousands of birds rely on San Jacinto Wildlife Area’s ecosystem for supporting their wintering and year-round needs," said Chadd Santerre, director of wetland programs for CWA. "The habitat improvements and infrastructure upgrades being funded by the WCB will help ensure long-term water conservation and recycling capabilities. CDFW staff will be able to efficiently manage and improve these critical habitats for years to come, increasing resources for the area's many wetland-dependent species without having to depend as much on local water supplies."
A $728,000 grant to Save Mount Diablo to acquire 98 acres of oak woodland and grassland habitat at Ginochio Schwendel Ranch, adjacent to Mount Diablo in Contra Costa County. This project enhances connectivity between Mount Diablo, surrounding protected areas and the Marsh Creek corridor, benefiting wildlife such as the iconic golden eagle, the Alameda whipsnake and several listed amphibians.
“We are thrilled and thankful to start a conservation partnership with WCB by protecting the strategic Ginochio Schwendel Ranch together,” said Edward (Ted) Clement Jr., executive director for Save Mount Diablo. “This property, located within Contra Costa County’s Diablo Range, has rare volcanic soils and endemic species, and is contiguous with other conserved land and the important Marsh Creek. Further, we will acquire it from the most important landowning family in Contra Costa County. Together with WCB, we look forward to protecting more important properties within the Diablo Range, which is comprised of over 3.5 million acres, of which only about 25 percent is currently protected. We thank WCB for their great work.”

For more information about WCB, visit wcb.ca.gov. To learn more about the newly approved habitat conservation and restoration projects, visit our StoryMaps pages.

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Mark Topping, Wildlife Conservation Board, (916) 539-4673

CDFW Announces the Availability of $200 million in New Grant Funding Under Drought, Climate and Nature-Based Solutions Initiatives

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 12:46:32 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has announced the availability of over $200 million in new funding for multi-benefit ecosystem restoration and protection projects under Drought, Climate and Nature-Based Solutions Initiatives. This new funding for restoration and protection of critical habitat and watersheds statewide also supports key initiatives including conserving 30 percent of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030 under California’s 30x30 initiative, Nature-Based Solutions, and increasing the pace and scale of restoration through Cutting the Green Tape.

CDFW has also launched a new online application portal to receive applications for grant funding under these new initiatives. As part of its Cutting the Green Tape efforts, this streamlined application and review process will remain available on an ongoing basis, allowing applicants to submit one application for consideration under multiple funding streams. CDFW is accelerating the review and approval process under this funding with the goal to review and approve the award for grants for selected projects within 30 days of receipt. Following awards, CDFW will work to develop agreements for awarded projects.

“The time to act is right now because California’s ecosystems face dire conditions for our species,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “This funding is absolutely the push we all need to put some largescale projects across the finish line.”

An overview of the new funding available for restoration, including grants, is as follows:

Drought Emergency: Protecting Salmon - $100 million

In response to current drought conditions, the California Legislature authorized $100 million to allow CDFW to protect and restore salmon in 2022 and 2023. This funding will support restoration and protection projects that enhance salmon resiliency to drought and climate change.

CDFW also plans to dedicate $20 million of this funding within the Klamath River Watershed to projects demonstrating support from and collaboration with Tribes and landowner interests. This $20 million will be available as follows:

Up to $10 million available for projects within the Scott River and its tributaries; and
Up to $10 million available for projects within the Shasta River and its tributaries

Nature-Based Solutions

Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2020 Executive Order N-82-20 (PDF) outlines a comprehensive and results-oriented agenda to expand nature-based solutions across California, advancing an approach to restoration that works with and enhances nature to help address societal challenges. Two new programs within CDFW will work toward this goal.

Wetlands and Mountain Meadows Restoration

As part of the Nature-Based Solutions Initiative, up to $54 million is available for projects that restore or enhance wetlands and mountain meadow ecosystems with quantifiable greenhouse gas reduction benefits, consistent with the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy (PDF) and Pathways to 30x30. The program will also support pilot projects for CDFW's forthcoming Beaver Restoration Program.

Wildlife Corridors

Up to $42 million under Nature-Based Solutions will be available for CDFW for connectivity planning and implementation projects consistent with the State Wildlife Action Plan, the state’s efforts on connectivity, and the Fish Passage Annual Legislative Report (PDF) or efforts to allow fish and wildlife the freedom to roam in California by accelerating fish and wildlife corridor projects.

Addressing Climate Impacts

Up to $35 million is available to support projects addressing urgent degrading water and habitat conditions due to climate change impacts, including for grants. Eligible uses of these funds include purchasing water from willing sellers to benefit wildlife, protecting instream flows, building water conservation projects, implementing emergency restoration activities and conservation strategies identified in the State Wildlife Action Plan with a priority on actions that protect the Species of Greatest Conservation Need identified in the plan.

CDFW has developed a single set of General Grant Program Guidelines with an overview of eligible project types, priorities and information on the application process, available at wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Watersheds/Restoration-Grants/Concept-Application. Applications submitted under these new initiatives may also be considered for further evaluation under CDFW’s Proposition 1 and Proposition 68 Grant Programs, and a separate call for projects will also be released for these programs in early 2023.

More information about these funding opportunities, including guidelines and how to apply, general information about CDFW’s grant programs, as well as a schedule for upcoming grant solicitations, once available, can be found at wildlife.ca.gov/Grants.

Media Contacts:
Matt Wells, CDFW Watershed Restoration Grant Branch, (916) 216-7848
Ken Paglia, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120

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