CDFW News

Wildlife Conservation Board Awards $59.5 Million in Grants to 25 Habitat Conservation and Restoration Projects

Fri, 23 May 2025 11:29:13 GMT

Grants Will Protect Nearly 23,000 Acres Across California, Including Key Wildlife Corridor in Ventura County

The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) has approved $59.5 million in grants to support 25 habitat protection and restoration projects in 21 counties across California. Awarded at WCB’s May 22 meeting, the projects will safeguard nearly 23,000 acres of the state’s most ecologically important landscapes.

Among the awards is a $14.75 million grant to the Trust for Public Land (TPL) to acquire approximately 6,475 acres near the city of Ventura. Known as Rancho Cañada Larga, the land features coastal sage scrub, native grasslands, oak woodlands, chaparral and riparian habitats that support at least 20 special-status wildlife species and eight rare plant species. The site provides critical habitat for the California red-legged frog and Southern California steelhead, and lies within the year-round range of the California condor.

The acquisition includes 4.25 miles of Cañada Larga Creek — one of five major tributaries to the Ventura River — and protects a vital section of the Sierra Madre-–Castaic Linkage, a wildlife corridor that connects two major watersheds and national forests.

The property also holds cultural significance, and active consultation is underway with the Barbareño-Ventureño Band of Mission Indians to ensure access rights for ceremonial gatherings, native plant collection and other cultural uses.

“This support is a critical milestone in our effort to conserve one of Ventura County’s most iconic open spaces,” said Guillermo Rodriguez, TPL Pacific Region vice president and California state director. “Rancho Cañada Larga is a landscape of extraordinary ecological and cultural value, and this funding will help to ensure it will be protected for generations to come.”

The 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 adapt to climate change.

Other funded projects include:

A $6.55 million grant to support the return of 1,720 acres of ancestral land to the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County. The land, located along Tularcitos Creek, is part of the historic 12,452-acre Rana Creek Ranch. The acquisition ensures the Esselen people will own and steward the property using nature-based practices informed by tribal ecological knowledge.

“When TWC acquired the Tularcitos parcels with private financing, our vision was always to see this land returned to its original stewards,” said Frazier Haney, executive director of TWC.

Purchased from The Wildlands Conservancy (TWC) with additional funding from the California State Coastal Conservancy, the land includes oak woodlands, vernal pools and riparian habitats, supporting endangered species like the California red-legged frog and California condor. The property also provides access to cultural sites and future wildlife-oriented public use.

This landscape forms a key wildlife corridor between the Sierra de Salinas and Santa Lucia Range, linking to the 1.75-million-acre Los Padres National Forest.

“We are honored to partner with the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County in making that vision a reality,” Haney continued. “This milestone reflects our shared commitment to caring for this remarkable landscape and builds on our ongoing collaboration in co-stewarding Rana Creek Preserve. We are deeply grateful to the WCB and other public agency partners whose support has been essential in protecting these ancestral lands and ensuring they are cared for with the cultural knowledge and reverence they deserve.”

A $1.6 million grant to the American Canyon Community and Parks Foundation (Parks Foundation) to develop the Napa River Ecology Center, transforming a former industrial site into an inclusive, ADA-accessible hub for environmental education. Designed with input from the Suscol Intertribal Council and local communities, the project will include indoor/outdoor classrooms, nature play areas and bilingual signage, serving up to 20,000 visitors annually.

“The Napa River Ecology Center will be a dynamic center for education and stewardship that is designed to inspire connection with the Napa River watershed and protection of the diverse wildlife it supports,” said Janelle Sellick, executive director of the Parks Foundation. “Through a unique adaptive reuse of the site, and a strong public-private partnership between the Parks Foundation and the city of American Canyon, the project sets a new standard for collaborative conservation.”

An $8 million grant to Save the Redwoods League (STRL) in partnership with Sonoma County Regional Parks (SCRP) to permanently protect 1,517 acres of redwood forestland in west Sonoma County, expanding the Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve. The acquisition connects more than 22,000 contiguous acres of protected land and will provide new multi-use trail access for residents of Monte Rio — Sonoma County’s most disadvantaged unincorporated community.

“(WCB’s) support of this landmark project enables us to significantly expand public access and connect thousands of acres of protected public lands from Monte Rio to the Sonoma Coast,” said Bert Whitaker, director of SCRP. “This effort safeguards vital redwood forests, wildlife habitat and clean water resources for future generations, while also creating new opportunities for outdoor recreation in one of Sonoma County’s most scenic and ecologically important regions.”

STRL Chief Program Officer Paul Ringgold noted the grant will help conserve a vital stretch of redwood forest, adding to a growing network of protected lands in Sonoma County. “By helping to knit together a larger, more resilient landscape, this project reflects the power of partnership in advancing conservation that will benefit both ecosystems and communities,” Ringgold said.

A $5.2 million grant to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) in partnership with the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to implement the Bombay Beach Wetland Enhancement Project at the Salton Sea. The project will restore just over 560 acres of wetland habitat for migratory birds and endangered species such as the desert pupfish, while also controlling dust near the disadvantaged community of Bombay Beach. Long-term management will be led by the Salton Sea Conservancy, with support from state agencies and conservation groups.

“The project will enhance and stabilize wetlands and remove non-native species on a 564-acre site and is planned to enhance public access with a new hiking trail and interpretive signage,” said Melinda Dorin, lead program manager of the Salton Sea Restoration Office for the DWR. “The Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) has been working with Audubon California and the landowners to design and implement the project. The WCB money is an important funding piece that provides the bridge from design to construction.”

IID Chairwoman Gina Dockstader added, “The IID is excited to see another Salton Sea project moving closer to implementation. This is a great example of people working together toward a common goal, and we thank the WCB, Audubon and our agency partners for their roles in reaching this milestone.”

For more information about the WCB, visit wcb.ca.gov. To explore the newly funded projects, visit WCB’s StoryMaps pages.
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Media Contact:
Mark Topping, Wildlife Conservation Board, (916) 539-4673

$1.1 Million Restoration Effort to Revitalize Mugu Lagoon Wetlands After 2011 Plane Crash

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:31:00 GMT

Federal Funding Will Support Debris Removal, Native Plant Seeding and More

Sacramento – A wetlands area impacted by a 2011 plane crash near Point Mugu Naval Air Station in Ventura County will undergo a series of restoration projects funded by a $1.1 million allotment from the National Pollution Funds Center.

The restoration work will be facilitated by state and federal trustees from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Spill Prevention and Response (CDFW-OSPR), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Navy.

The airplane was carrying approximately 10,000 gallons of jet fuel when it crashed into the marsh during a failed takeoff attempt and started a large fire. The crew escaped with minor injuries, but the downed aircraft caused significant environmental impacts and led to a multi-agency response effort.

The aircraft was owned and operated by Omega Aerial Refueling Services, Inc. A restoration settlement agreement with the company was not reached so a request for restoration funds was made to the National Pollution Funds Center.

The funding agreement was announced in October 2024 and stems from a comprehensive assessment of damages to marsh habitat within Mugu Lagoon wetlands. Funds will go toward restoring, rehabilitating, replacing or acquiring the equivalent of the damaged natural resources.

Restoration projects include:

Debris removal in a coastal salt marsh to promote regrowth of vegetation in the area;
Upland Wetland Buffer Revegetation, removing non-native vegetation with herbicide and seeding native marsh plants;
European Sea Lavendar Eradication, removal of this invasive plant species; and
Project monitoring of wetlands for five years to determine if goals and objectives are met.

“These projects, developed cooperatively by CDFW and our partner agencies, will greatly benefit the salt marsh habitats surrounding the Naval Air Station. Through this funding, we will be able to help address the injury and losses caused by the spill and restore marsh habitat for the benefit of fish and wildlife,” said Dr. Michael Anderson, Resource Restoration Program Manager with CDFW-OSPR.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s National Pollution Funds Center (NPFC), committed to protecting America’s environment, provides protection up-front by certifying that oil-carrying vessels have the financial ability to pay in the case of an oil spill. When spills do occur, the NPFC provides funding for quick response, compensates claimants for cleanup costs and damages and takes action to recover costs from responsible parties.

For more information, visit: https://www.uscg.mil/Mariners/National-Pollution-Funds-Center/About-NPFC/.

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Media Contacts:
Kristina Werner, CDFW Communications, (916) 594-4704
Eric Laughlin, CDFW Communications, (916) 214-3279

CDFW Holding Public Workshops in Central and Southern California to Promote Grant Funding Opportunities

Tue, 09 May 2023 15:39:50 GMT

Who: The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)

What: CDFW’s Restoration Grant Program is holding two in-person workshops in central and Southern California to provide information on various grant funding opportunities and the application process. Staff will present information on permitting tools available through the Cutting the Green Tape Program and the recently formed Cannabis Restoration Grant Program (CRGP).

When and Where: On May 11, an in-person/virtual workshop will be held in Ventura (PDF) at the County of Ventura, 800 S. Victoria Ave, Lower Plaza Assembly Room from 2:30 to 5 p.m. For the virtual option, click on the link above.

On May 12, an in-person workshop will be held in San Luis Obispo (PDF) at the California Conservation Corps, 1530 Madera Ave., Dining Hall Room from 10 a.m. to noon.

Why: In 2022, CDFW’s Restoration Grant Program announced the availability of $200 million in new funding opportunities, including $100 million in emergency drought funding for protecting salmon against drought and climate change. Funding under the Addressing Climate Impacts and Nature-Based Solutions initiatives provides support for projects addressing water and habitat impacted by climate change, as well as restoring wetlands and mountain meadows, and creating wildlife corridors. This funding also supports key initiatives including conserving 30 percent of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030, while increasing the pace and scale of projects through the Cutting Green Tape Initiative. More information about these funding opportunities can be found at www.wildlife.ca.gov/grants.

CRGP is committed to promoting ecosystem restoration and ecological health in collaboration with a diversity of stakeholders. In 2023, CRGP announced $20 million in funding opportunities for Tribes, public agencies and non-profit organizations interested in restoring ecosystem function, improving habitat connectivity and assisting cultivators to become fully licensed. CRGP funded projects include enhancing fish and wildlife habitat for listed and sensitive species, restoring ecological resilience, improving water conservation and irrigation efficiency, sustainable agriculture practices and road improvement projects that reduce sedimentation. You can learn more about recent funding opportunities through CRGP’s latest announcement.

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Media Contacts:
Janice Mackey, CDFW Communications, (916) 207-7891
Lauren Barva, CDFW Grant Program, (916) 376-8637

CDFW Awards $11 Million for Fisheries Habitat Restoration Program Projects

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 10:04:40 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) today announced the selection of 25 projects that will receive funding for the restoration, enhancement and protection of anadromous salmonid habitat in California watersheds.

The grants, which total $11 million, were awarded through CDFW’s Fisheries Restoration Grant Program (FRGP). FRGP was first established in 1981 and since 2000 has included funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, established by Congress to reverse the declines of Pacific salmon and steelhead throughout California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska.

“As California continually feels the effects of climate change, rising sea levels, prolonged drought, more extreme temperatures and extreme precipitation events, restoring degraded river ecosystems is more important than ever before,” CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham said. “These FRGP funded projects will help restore the refugia salmonids need.”

In response to the 2022 Fisheries Habitat Restoration Grant Solicitation, CDFW received 50 proposals requesting more than $38 million in funding. As a competitive grant program, proposals underwent a rigorous technical review process which included CDFW and NOAA scientists.

The 25 approved projects will further the objectives of state and federal fisheries recovery plans, including removing barriers to fish migration, restoring riparian habitat, recovering wildfire impacts detrimental to rivers, and creating a more resilient and sustainably managed water resources system (e.g., water supply, water quality and habitat) that can better withstand drought conditions. These projects further the goals of California’s Water Action Plan and CDFW’s State Wildlife Action Plan, as well as addressing limiting factors specified in state and federal recovery plans.

The list of approved projects is available on the FRGP website.

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

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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