CDFW News

Wildlife Conservation Board Awards $52.3 Million in Grants to 24 Habitat Conservation and Restoration Projects

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 09:50:50 GMT

Awards Include Funding for the Restoration of 67 Acres of Wetland Habitat in the City of Salinas, Providing Park Space and Recreation Access to Disadvantaged Communities in Monterey County

The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) approved 24 habitat protection and restoration projects spanning 25 counties across more than 21,600 acres at its Nov. 21 quarterly meeting.

One of the grants restores 67 acres of wetland, riparian, and upland habitat at Carr Lake in the heart of the city of Salinas, providing much needed open space to a community area with limited access to parks and nature.

The WCB’s $4 million grant to the Big Sur Land Trust—in a cooperative project with the California Natural Resources Agency, the California Department of Water Resources, and the State Coastal Conservancy—increases biodiversity, decreases and treats stormwater flows and improves public access to nature.

More than 1.7 miles of trails will be constructed, providing access to disadvantaged and severely disadvantaged communities in the area to participate in recreation such as hiking and birdwatching.

“After 8 years and with over 6,000 residents weighing in on a community-led process to design a new multi-benefit wetland restoration and park development project in Salinas, we are grateful to WCB for considering a grant for the project that will close our funding gap, allowing us to move forward to create a place in the heart of the city for residents to enjoy and learn about the natural world while helping strengthen the city’s resiliency to climate change,” said Jeannette Tuitele-Lewis, president and chief executive officer of Big Sur Land Trust.

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 $2.4 million grant to the Tule River Indian Tribe—in a cooperative project with the California Natural Resources Agency—for the return of 14,675 acres of ancestral lands, restoring Tribal sovereignty and conserving habitat in Tulare County. The Hershey Ranch project reconnects the Tribe with their ancestral land, increasing connectivity between the San Joaquin Valley and Sierra Nevada Mountains, conserving grassland, blue oak woodlands and riparian habitat. This area also represents a potential summer range for the Yowlumni wolf pack and provides the opportunity for future stream restoration and managed public access.

“The Tule River Tribe expresses its gratitude to the Wildlife Conservation Board for aiding the Tribe in its efforts to restore its ancestral homeland,” said Charmaine McDarment, chairwoman of the Tule River Tribal Council. “As the climate crisis brings new pressures to address the effects of environmental mismanagement and resource degradation, the Tribe’s partnership with WCB is an important example of building relationships based in collaboration and trust.

“The Tribe remains committed to supporting co-stewardship efforts and fighting to ensure that disproportionate harms to Native American lands, culture, and resources are resolved in a manner that centers and honors Native American connections to ancestral lands.”

• A $4.5 million grant to The Nature Conservancy to restore delicate habitats on two Channel Islands off the coast of Santa Barbara. These islands are a biodiversity hotspot, hosting nearly 1,000 species and subspecies of native plants, many of which are classified as endangered or threatened.

The islands were once on the brink of ecological collapse from the effects of overgrazing and browsing by introduced herbivorous animals. The project, known as Building Resilience on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands, is a cooperative project with the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State Coastal Conservancy, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the California Institute of Environmental Studies.

“The Channel Islands hold a special place in the heart of many Californians and are home to more endemic species than anywhere else in the state including 28 Californian special status species,” said Jennifer Baker, program director for The Nature Conservancy.

“The Nature Conservancy and Channel Islands National Park are invigorated by the Wildlife Conservation Board’s ongoing partnership to magnify the rich vibrancy of these islands with projects that will restore the water cycle, stabilize soils, and rebuild the abundance of plants and wildlife, ensuring this biodiversity hotspot continues to thrive.”

• A $4.9 million grant to the Sonoma Land Trust—in a cooperative project with the State Coastal Conservancy—to preserve and protect 1,459 acres of tidal wetland habitat within the Bay Area, benefiting several listed wildlife species and protecting a key stop along the Pacific Flyway. Future work will reestablish tidal flow and habitat connection between the ranch and other protected areas, providing contiguous habitat and protecting local communities from flood and sea level rise.

“The acquisition of Kiser Ranch signals a major milestone in realizing the vision of restoring the vast marshes and wetlands where Sonoma Creek flows into San Pablo Bay,” said John McCaull, land acquisition director for the Sonoma Land Trust.

“Restoration of the property will boost San Francisco Bay biodiversity by converting this hay farm to mixed tidal wetlands, providing habitat for special-status plants, fish, birds, and other wildlife. Without the support of WCB we could not have achieved this important milestone.”

• A $5 million grant to the Santa Clara Open Space Authority to preserve and protect 142 acres of wetland, oak woodland and riparian habitat between the Santa Cruz and Diablo mountain ranges, serving as a key migration corridor for wildlife. This area, known as Coyote Valley, is home to several listed species, including the western burrowing owl and the American badger. The property serves as a key area for flood mitigation for downstream urban centers, including the city of San José.

“As Coyote Valley's permanently protected lands continue to grow, the Open Space Authority is dedicated to planning the restoration of these precious areas that provide important climate resilience for both people and wildlife,” said Andrea McKenzie, general manager of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority.

“As part of the Fisher Creek floodplain, these lands serve as a natural guardian that absorbs and regulate water flow, especially during heavy rains. Coyote Valley also serves as a vital lifeline for wildlife traveling between the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west and the Diablo Range to the east.”

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

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Photo courtesy of Big Sur Land Trust.

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

Prime Wetland Conditions Awaiting Waterfowl Hunters at State-Operated Public Hunt Areas

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 11:31:05 GMT

California’s statewide waterfowl season opens Saturday, Oct. 26, and waterfowl hunters headed to public hunting areas this season will encounter some of the best habitat and wetland conditions in years.

“Overall, it should be a great year to get out and enjoy your public wildlife areas and refuges,” said Jeff Kohl, Wetland Conservation Program Habitat Coordinator for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). “The majority of wetlands in California received close to a full water allocation this year, so hunters should generally expect habitat conditions across the state to be in pretty good shape for this fall.”

Opening and closing dates of waterfowl seasons vary by zone. Waterfowl season for the Balance of the State, Southern San Joaquin Valley and Southern California zones all open Oct. 26 and extend through Jan. 31, 2025. The Colorado River Zone opened Oct. 23 while the Northeastern Zone kicked off on Oct. 5.

CDFW waterfowl biologists and habitat specialists offered the following highlights of wetland conditions at some of California’s most popular waterfowl hunting areas throughout the state:

Sacramento Valley

Thanks to significant upgrades and improvements to the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area’s water conveyance infrastructure in recent years, CDFW was able to irrigate close to 2,000 acres of seasonal wetlands this summer, particularly on the east side.

At the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, the Sacramento, Delevan and Colusa refuges received 100 percent of their base water allocations, which allowed staff to irrigate close to 6,000 acres. Flooding wetlands seasonally, particularly in the spring and summer months, can stimulate food growth and provide habitat for waterfowl broods.

Suisun Marsh/Delta

Hunters will notice significant improvements at the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area in the Suisun Marsh, starting with a long-overdue sprucing up and facelift of the hunter check station. Several habitat projects have been completed over the past couple of years, including the complete rebuild of Pond 12, several levee and water infrastructure improvements and a new water lift station that will be able to flood acres in the hunting zones that haven’t seen water in over two decades. Grizzly Island should be close to fully flooded for the opener.

At the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, staff were able to flood up the landscape much earlier than normal, which should allow for more hunter opportunities earlier in the season than in the past. Staff were able to irrigate close to 1,000 acres this spring and summer.

San Joaquin Valley/Southern California

Habitat conditions in the San Joaquin Valley have recovered nicely after a multiyear drought and last year’s flooding events. Having received 100 percent of their water allocations, the North Grasslands, Los Banos and Mendota wildlife areas were able to irrigate several thousand acres of seasonal wetlands collectively. Favorite duck foods such as watergrass and smartweed responded well. Habitat conditions at the San Luis and Merced national wildlife refuges are mostly positive with significant food growth in units that were disced recently.

Farther south, CDFW staff and California Waterfowl have been working together on a major overhaul of wetland units at the Imperial Wildlife Area in Imperial County to produce more wetland acreage and improve habitat quality overall.

California waterfowl hunters are reminded to obtain a HIP Validation, California Duck Validation and a signed Federal Duck Stamp along with a valid hunting license before entering the field or visiting a state-operated wildlife area to hunt.

A wildlife area pass is often required to hunt many of these state-operated lands. Licenses, validations and passes are not sold at wildlife areas or federal refuges so hunters must purchase these items in advance.

Waterfowl hunting and public land regulations are available within CDFW’s 2024-2025 California Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations (PDF) digital booklet.

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Media Contacts:
Melanie Weaver, CDFW Wildlife Branch, (916) 502-1139
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858

Free Hunting Days Offer Californians Opportunity to Connect with the Hunting Experience

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 15:39:05 GMT

It’s the thrill of seeing a high-octane pointing dog slam to a standstill. It’s having a front-row seat as a wetland comes to life at dawn. It’s the chaos of a valley quail covey erupting from cover; the heart-pounding excitement of a tom turkey somewhere in the distance answering your call. It’s the chance to share with friends and family a wild game meal they can’t get in any grocery store, farmer’s market or five-star restaurant.

Californians will have two ideal opportunities to acquaint themselves with the hunting experience during California’s Free Hunting Days. Stemming from a revised California law newly implemented this year, each year the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director will designate two Free Hunting Days. In this license year, they are Nov. 25, 2023, and April 13, 2024. On these days, eligible California residents may hunt without purchasing a California hunting license, provided other requirements are met.

Those requirements include proof of completion of a hunter education course, possession of a valid Free Hunt Days Registration, and any required tags, federal entitlements, and entry permits. All hunting participants in Free Hunting Days must be accompanied by a mentor at least 21 years of age who holds a valid California hunting license.

“The dates were chosen carefully and intentionally to provide the widest variety of hunting opportunities and options for anyone interested in giving hunting a try,” said Taylor Williams, the Recruit, Retain, Reactivate (R3) Manager at CDFW.

“On Nov. 25, waterfowl seasons and many upland game seasons, from rabbit and squirrel to dove, pheasant, quail and fall wild turkey, will be open in various zones throughout the state,” Williams said. “It’s also a holiday weekend when friends and family get together so it can be a great time to take out a friend or relative who has been interested in giving hunting a try.”

California’s second Free Hunting Day will be April 13, 2024. This date was chosen with wild pig and wild turkey in mind, two popular species to hunt in the spring.

“We encourage California residents to try Free Hunting Days and discover their own connection to nature and wild food in our state,” Williams said. “Free Hunting Days provide opportunities for people interested in hunting to finally give it a try at little cost, and experienced hunters the chance to mentor someone new.”

With the possession of a valid Free Hunt Day Registration, residents wishing to hunt on the two designated days are not required to possess a California Hunting License, a California Duck Validation or a California Upland Validation. All hunting regulations, including bag limits, gear restrictions and shooting times remain in effect for Free Hunting Days. Participants must also possess any additional requirements, including passes for state-operated wildlife areas, tags and federal entitlements such as a Federal Duck Stamp for those hunting waterfowl who are 16 and older. Those choosing to hunt wild pigs will need to purchase and possess a Wild Pig Tag.

More information is available at CDFW’s Free Hunting Days web page. The Free Hunting Days Registration is available at no cost at CDFW license sales offices, from license agents and through CDFW’s Online License Sales and Services website. Hunting seasons, regulations, places to hunt and other resources are available at CDFW’s Hunting in California web page. For additional information on participants hoping to get started hunting this season, please visit CDFW’s R3 web page for a variety of resources.

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Media Contacts:
Taylor Williams, CDFW R3 Manager, (916) 203-1362
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858