CDFW Newshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/NewsGrant Award Leads to Historic Acquisition by California’s First Black-led Land Conservation Organizationhttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/grant-award-leads-to-historic-acquisition-by-californias-first-black-led-land-conservation-organizationWCBThu, 31 Aug 2023 08:43:16 GMTThe Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) provided a $2.27 million grant to the 40 Acre Conservation League, California’s only Black-led conservation group, for the Tahoe Forest Gateway Leidesdorff Property in Placer County, a cooperative project with the Sierra Nevada Conservancy.<p><em>Wildlife Conservation Board Awards $163.5 million in Grants to 37 Habitat Conservation and Restoration Projects</em></p> <p>The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) provided a $2.27 million grant to the 40 Acre Conservation League, California’s only Black-led conservation group, for the Tahoe Forest Gateway Leidesdorff Property in Placer County, a cooperative project with the Sierra Nevada Conservancy. The conservation group acquired approximately 650 acres of land near the Tahoe Lake area for the purposes of wildlife-oriented education and research, wildlife habitat preservation, restoration and management.</p> <p>The WCB approved approximately $163.5 million in grants to 37 projects at its Aug. 24, 2023, quarterly meeting that will help restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat throughout California. The grants will also provide new and improved public access, recreation and educational opportunities.</p> <p>“I am so thrilled that I was able to help secure $3 million for 40 Acre Conservation League’s first land acquisition,” said Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson). “This remarkable achievement is a gateway for more people of color to enter the conservancy space, and it demonstrates that when like-minded organizations unite for a common cause, they can achieve remarkable results. The $3 million secured for the 40 Acre Conservation League is not just a financial milestone; it is an investment in the future of our environment and a testament to the potential of dedicated conservationists working together.”</p> <p>Other funded projects include:</p> <ul> <li>A $779,000 grant to the Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa Conservancy for a project to restore a sage scrub ecosystem in Altadena, Los Angeles County, that will serve as a valuable agricultural learning process for Tongva Community Members to revitalize culture, language and traditional land stewardship. This site will represent the first community-owned gathering space for the Tongva community since the Spanish Mission system in 1771.</li> </ul> <p>“This funding from WCB gives us, a Tongva-led land conservancy, an opportunity to start fresh,” said Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa Conservancy, Land Return Coordinator Samantha Morales Johnson. “At Huhuunga, the first site since colonization returned to Tongvetam, over 90 percent of the plants present are non-native species. This first project with WCB allows us to remove invasive trees and pay Tongva people to remove the understory taking over our oak grove. This is a vital part of our community healing with the land, and we hope to continue to receive support toward more land returned and funding of California-Native led projects throughout the state.”</p> <ul> <li>An $8.7 million grant to the Big Sur Land Trust for a cooperative project with the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County to acquire 5,100 acres of land for the protection of riparian chaparral, oak woodland and perennial grassland habitats. The Basin Ranch property will be co-managed with the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, who will provide access to other tribes in the region.</li> <li>A $5.8 million grant to the Regents of the University of California at Davis for a project to develop the plans, designs and environmental review necessary to create a wildlife crossing over Interstate 8 for Peninsular bighorn sheep in Imperial County that will allow bighorn sheep to safely continue their seasonal migrations. This has led the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to include this area as a “Top Priority,” for <a href="https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=204648&inline" target="_blank">Restoring California’s Wildlife Connectivity (PDF)</a>, which places it among the 12 barriers most in need of improvement throughout the state.</li> </ul> <p>"Wildlife in the desert are constantly stressed by drought and temperature and must move,” said Fraser Shilling, the director of UC Davis’ Road Ecology Center. “The Interstate 8 wildlife crossings will provide critical flexibility for the endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep and other wildlife to move more freely.”</p> <ul> <li>A $7 million grant to the Land Trust of Napa County for a cooperative project with the State Coastal Conservancy, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and The Conservation Fund to acquire 2,300 acres of land for the protection of wildlife habitat in response to climate change, expansion of wildlife corridors, restoration, wildlife-oriented education and future wildlife-oriented public use opportunities, located in the Napa River watershed.</li> </ul> <p>“Walt Ranch is a top priority for conservation,” said Doug Parker, president and CEO of Land Trust of Napa County. “It has everything – large size at 2,300 acres, adjacent to over 5,500 acres of existing protected land, several rare species, water resources including a municipal water supply, and it is located at the junction of two priority wildlife corridors.”</p> <ul> <li>A $12 million grant to the Los Angeles County Public Works to create engineering designs and permits to enhance and restore habitat for the unarmored three-spined stickleback and other rare, sensitive, threatened, and endangered riparian and aquatic species. Bouquet Creek Canyon, located five miles north of Santa Clarita within the Angeles National Forest, will receive other enhancements including increased water supply, sediment management and conveyance, flood protection and increased public access to multiple day-use areas and trails.</li> </ul> <p>For more information about the WCB, please visit <a href="https://wcb.ca.gov/">wcb.ca.gov</a>.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media contacts</strong>:<br /> <a href="mailto:Mark.Topping@wildlife.ca.gov">Mark Topping</a>, Wildlife Conservation Board, (916) 539-4673<br /> <a href="mailto:Rebecca.Fris@wildlife.ca.gov">Rebecca Fris</a>, Wildlife Conservation Board, (916) 212-5637</em></p> Wildlife Conservation Board Funds Environmental Improvement and Acquisition Projectshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/wildlife-conservation-board-funds-environmental-improvement-and-acquisition-projects5WCBWed, 25 Jan 2023 15:31:12 GMTWildlife Conservation Board Funds Environmental Improvement and Acquisition Projects<p><strong>A restored meadow along Yellow Creek in Tasmam Koyom (aka Humbug Valley) in Plumas County with Meadow Penstemon blooming in the foreground. Photo © Ryan Burnett.</strong></p> <p>At its Jan. 13, 2023 meeting, the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) approved approximately $70.14 million in grants to help restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat throughout California. The three approved projects will benefit fish and wildlife through funding mechanisms that support biodiversity, watershed restoration, climate resiliency and working landscapes that integrate economic, social and environmental stewardship practices beneficial to the environment, landowners and the local community.</p> <p>Funding for these projects comes from the General Fund, Budget Act of 2022 and supports the 30x30 Initiative (the goal to conserve 30 percent of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030) and nature-based solutions.</p> <p>Funded projects:</p> <ul> <li>A $26 million grant to Point Blue Conservation Science for a cooperative project with local volunteer educators and students to implement wildlife habitat restoration on working lands in multiple counties across California.  </li> <li>A $24.73 million grant to Point Blue Conservation Science for a cooperative project with National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Sierra Meadows Partnership to plan, implement and monitor meadow restoration in the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountains spanning 23 California counties.  </li> <li>A $19.41 million grant to the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts for a cooperative project with California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, California Department of Conservation, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service and USFWS to expand monarch, pollinator and other wildlife habitat on public and private lands and to assist landowners in the implementation of carbon farm practices that create habitat and sequester carbon in multiple counties across California.</li> </ul> <p>For more information about the WCB please visit <a href="http://wcb.ca.gov" target="_blank">wcb.ca.gov</a>.</p> <p>###<br /> <em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:john.donnelly@wildlife.ca.gov">John Donnelly</a>, Wildlife Conservation Board, (916) 445-8448<br /> <a href="mailto:amanda.l.mcdermott@wildlife.ca.gov">Amanda McDermott</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641</em><br />  </p> Wildlife Conservation Board Funds Environmental Improvement and Acquisition Projectshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/wildlife-conservation-board-funds-environmental-improvement-and-acquisition-projects4WCBWed, 16 Nov 2022 15:05:20 GMTWCB funds environmental improvement and acquisition projects at Nov. 2022 meeting.<p>At its Nov. 15, 2022 quarterly meeting, the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) approved approximately $24.46 million in grants to help restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat throughout California. Some of the 16 approved projects will benefit fish and wildlife — including some endangered species — while others will provide public access to important natural resources. Several projects will also demonstrate the importance of protecting working landscapes that integrate economic, social and environmental stewardship practices beneficial to the environment, landowners and the local community.</p> <p>Funding for these projects comes from a combination of sources including the Habitat Conservation Fund and bond measures approved by voters to help preserve and protect California’s natural resources. The General Fund is also being used, which will help to achieve the 30x30 Initiative (the goal to conserve 30 percent of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030) and nature-based solutions.</p> <p>Funded projects include:</p> <ul> <li>A $650,000 grant to California Rangeland Trust (CRT), the acceptance of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Habitat Recovery Land Acquisition grant, and the approval to subgrant these federal funds to CRT to acquire a conservation easement over approximately 4,503 acres for the protection and preservation of threatened and endangered species habitat, rangelands and grasslands, and habitat linkages located near Hollister in San Benito County.</li> <li>A $1.1 million grant to the Tehama County Resource Conservation District to conduct the planning, design, impacts analysis and permit implementation actions necessary for the reconnection and restoration of salmonid rearing habitat in a historic side channel immediately downstream of Battle Creek’s confluence with the Sacramento River in Tehama County.</li> <li>A $2.38 million grant to the Feather River Land Trust for a cooperative project with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to acquire a conservation easement over approximately 4,101 acres of working landscape to protect and preserve open waterways, emergent wetlands, wet meadows, perennial native grasslands, dry meadows and the open-space characteristics which support numerous sensitive species along with providing future potential wildlife-oriented, public-use opportunities located in Plumas County.</li> <li>A $2.4 million grant to California Waterfowl Association for a cooperative project with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to enhance 798 acres of wetlands and 17 acres of native upland habitat for the benefit of migratory birds located at the Imperial Wildlife Area in Imperial County.</li> <li>A $3.17 million grant to Caltrans for a cooperative project with CDFW, Eastern Sierra Land Trust and U.S. Bureau of Land Management to complete the designs and environmental compliance necessary to install a wildlife crossing corridor consisting of two enhanced undercrossing structures and exclusion fencing along U.S. Highway 395, 10 miles southeast of the town of Mammoth Lakes in Mono County.</li> <li>A $4.72 million grant to the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains for a project to develop the planning, designs and environmental review for a wildlife overpass across Interstate 5 in the Newhall Pass Region near Santa Clarita in Los Angeles County.</li> </ul> <p>For more information about the WCB please visit <a href="http://wcb.ca.gov" target="_blank">wcb.ca.gov</a>.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:john.donnelly@wildlife.ca.gov">John Donnelly</a>, Wildlife Conservation Board, (916) 445-8448<br /> <a href="mailto:amanda.l.mcdermott@wildlife.ca.gov">Amanda McDermott</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641</em></p> Wildlife Conservation Board Celebrates 75 Years of Protecting California’s Natural Resourceshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/wildlife-conservation-board-celebrates-75-years-of-protecting-californias-natural-resourcesWCBWed, 14 Sep 2022 15:56:58 GMTWildlife Conservation Board Celebrates 75 Years of Protecting California’s Natural Resources<p><strong>Butte Creek House Meadow. Photo by Thad Walker, Butte County Resource Conservation District.</strong></p> <p>This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB). Created by legislation in 1947, WCB protects, restores and enhances California’s spectacular natural resources in partnership with conservation groups, government agencies and the people of California. This collaborative effort works to protect biodiversity, increase climate resiliency and provide access for all.</p> <p>Existing within the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), WCB is a separate and independent board which allocates funds for the preservation, protection and restoration of wildlife habitat as well as related outdoor public use facilities. The three main functions – land acquisition, habitat restoration and development of wildlife-oriented public access facilities – are carried out through WCB’s 16 programs with funding from state bonds, special funds and general funds.</p> <p>The WCB’s initial programs funded land acquisition, habitat enhancement and restoration, and public access, with early projects including hatcheries, development of CDFW wildlife areas, and access for hunting and fishing. Into the 1960s, the Ecological Reserve system was established and projects were expanded to benefit threatened and endangered species.</p> <p>Much has changed in California over the past 75 years, and priorities have shifted accordingly. Currently, WCB is focused on the protection of biodiversity, climate resilience, increased work in disadvantaged communities and the state’s <a href="https://www.californianature.ca.gov/pages/30x30" target="_blank">30 x 30 initiative</a>, with the goal of protecting 30 percent of land and coastal waters by 2030. This work is emphasized by the increasing severity of drought, devastating fires and impacts of climate change.</p> <p>“We are excited to celebrate the work of WCB happening through continued collaboration and partnerships with those implementing projects on the ground,” said WCB Executive Director John Donnelly. “We are also dedicated to expanding those partnerships and will focus work where the need is greatest. The importance of our collective efforts continues to be critical and timely. There is still much work to do, and we look forward to the expanded opportunities to protect fish and wildlife and provide public access to the magnificent natural resources of California.”</p> <p>WCB has worked with many partners since its inception to preserve lands and public access throughout the state, with a record including:</p> <ul> <li>Nearly 1.8 million acres of land protected</li> <li>970,000 acres of land restored</li> <li>1,900 acquisition projects</li> <li>2,050 restoration projects</li> <li>$3.5 billion invested</li> </ul> <p>“So much amazing work has been accomplished in 75 years by the WCB,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “This moment really brings great hope for all the work over the next 75 years between the board, conservation organizations, landowners, Tribes, cities and counties for the benefit of this great state.”</p> <p>More information about the WCB can be found on the <a href="https://wcb.ca.gov/" target="_blank">WCB website</a>, including a list of <a href="https://wcb.ca.gov/About/FAQ" target="_blank">frequently asked questions</a>.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:john.donnelly@wildlife.ca.gov">John Donnelly</a>, Wildlife Conservation Board, (916) 445-8448<br /> <a href="mailto:amanda.l.mcdermott@wildlife.ca.gov">Amanda McDermott</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641</em></p> Wildlife Conservation Board Funds Environmental Improvement and Acquisition Projectshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/wildlife-conservation-board-funds-environmental-improvement-and-acquisition-projects3WCBTue, 30 Aug 2022 10:21:10 GMTWildlife Conservation Board Funds Environmental Improvement and Acquisition Projects at August Meeting<p>At its Aug. 25, 2022 quarterly meeting, the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) approved approximately $15.82 million in grants to help restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat throughout California. Some of the 17 approved projects will benefit fish and wildlife — including some endangered species — while others will provide public access to important natural resources. Several projects will also demonstrate the importance of protecting working landscapes that integrate economic, social and environmental stewardship practices beneficial to the environment, landowners and the local community.</p> <p>Funding for these projects comes from a combination of sources, including the Habitat Conservation Fund and bond measures approved by voters to help preserve and protect California’s natural resources.</p> <p>Funded projects include:</p> <ul> <li>A $360,000 grant to the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County to acquire a conservation easement over approximately 321 acres of land for the protection of significant oak woodland and wildlife resources, including rangeland productivity and open space to support working landscapes while providing additional social, economic and environmental benefits, located near San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo County.</li> <li>An $881,058 grant to the Ventura County Resource Conservation District for a cooperative project with Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, Meiners Oaks Water District, City of Ojai, Senior Canyon Water District, Ventura River Water District, Merito Foundation, Watershed Progressive and Hicks Law to develop plans for over 200 multiple benefit projects to support enhanced flow throughout the Ventura River watershed in Ventura County.</li> <li>A $863,500 grant to the County of Los Angeles for a project to construct a new floating fishing pier at Puddingstone Reservoir, install Americans with Disabilities Act pathways and restrooms, and install multilingual interpretive signage, located on county-owned land in the city of San Dimas in Los Angeles County.</li> <li>A $1.29 million grant to Bear Yuba Land Trust to acquire a conservation easement over approximately 806 acres of land for the protection of water resources, wetlands, blue oak woodlands, and lacustrine and grassland habitat, located near the Penn Valley community in Nevada County.</li> <li>A $1.59 million grant to Great Basin Institute for a cooperative project with National Park Service and Sequoia Park Conservancy to enhance forest health and protect giant sequoia groves located in Sequoia Kings Canyon National Parks approximately 50 miles east of Fresno in Tulare County.</li> </ul> <p>For more information about the WCB, please visit <a href="http://wcb.ca.gov" target="_blank">wcb.ca.gov</a>.</p> <p>###<br /> <em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:John.Donnelly@wildlife.ca.gov">John Donnelly</a>, Wildlife Conservation Board, (916) 445-8448<br /> <a href="mailto:Amanda.L.Mcdermott@wildlife.ca.gov">Amanda McDermott</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641</em></p>