CDFW Newshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/NewsGray Lodge Wildlife Area Closing Some Visitor Areas This Summer for Habitat Improvement and Related Constructionhttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/gray-lodge-wa-construction-closureLandsFri, 14 Jul 2023 11:45:00 GMTThe Gray Lodge Wildlife Area in Butte County will close some visitor areas on its west side starting this month to accommodate wetland habitat work and related construction.<p>The <a href="/lands/places-to-visit/gray-lodge-wa">Gray Lodge Wildlife Area</a> in Butte County will close some visitor areas on its west side starting this month to accommodate wetland habitat work and related construction.</p> <p>The ponds along the Flyway Loop Trail, a year-round hiking trail between Parking Lots 14 and 18, will be enhanced this summer. The related heavy construction work will force the closure of portions of the hiking trail, viewing hides, and Parking Lot 18 itself starting in mid-July and continuing through early September. Visitors might also encounter occasional roadway blockages and impediments during this period. Renovations will improve water management, wildlife habitat, and the visitor experience.</p> <p>Construction delays could impact the timing of reopening, but work is expected to conclude no later than the first week in September, restoring full public access in time for birdwatching during peak fall and winter migrations. For questions or additional information, please contact the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area directly at (530) 846-7500.</p> <p>The Gray Lodge Wildlife Area is one of California’s most popular wildlife areas, hosting more than 100,000 visitors each year. This habitat work is being funded through a million-dollar North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant (Wetlands of the Sac Valley, Phase IV) in partnership with the California Waterfowl Association. The Gray Lodge Wildlife Area portion of the project budget is $115,000.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Tim.Hermansen@wildlife.ca.gov">Tim Hermansen</a>, CDFW North Central Region, (530) 846-7500<br /> <a href="mailto:Peter.Tira@wildlife.ca.gov">Peter Tira</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858</em></p> New CDFW Policy Recognizes Ecological Value of Beavers in Californiahttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/new-cdfw-policy-recognizes-ecological-value-of-beavers-in-californiaWildlifeTue, 06 Jun 2023 16:25:03 GMTCDFW has implemented a new policy recognizing the ecological benefits of beavers while mitigating conflict over damage to land and property<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has implemented a new policy recognizing the ecological benefits of beavers while mitigating conflict over damage to land and property (depredation). CDFW’s new policy builds upon its existing beaver management policies and lays the groundwork for projects that harness beavers’ natural ability to help protect biodiversity, restore habitat and build wildfire-resilient landscapes. This includes a process that enables beaver relocation as a restoration tool and a new non-lethal option. The policy also outlines a process to mitigate beaver depredation conflict, prioritizes the use of nonlethal deterrents whenever possible and ensures that lethal removal of depredation beavers is done in a humane manner.</p> <p>The new policy, signed by CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham on June 5, is available on <a href="/Conservation/Mammals/Beaver">CDFW’s beaver web page</a>. Here are a few key take-aways related to depredation permits:</p> <ul> <li>CDFW shall document all nonlethal measures taken by the landowner to prevent damage prior to requesting a depredation permit.</li> <li>CDFW shall require implementation of feasible nonlethal corrective actions by the landowner to prevent future beaver damage.</li> <li>CDFW shall determine whether a property is located within the range of listed species and add permit terms and conditions to protect native wildlife.</li> <li>CDFW shall continue to prioritize issuance of depredation permits if it determines that an imminent threat to public safety exists, such as flooding or catastrophic infrastructure damage.</li> </ul> <p>“Beavers help improve habitat restoration and water quality, restore ecosystem processes and bolster wildfire resiliency,” said Director Bonham. “This new policy formally recognizes beavers as a keystone species and ecosystem engineers in California. They are truly the Swiss army knife of native species due to their ability to provide so many nature-based ecosystem services.”</p> <p>CDFW is committed to ensuring that humans and beavers can safely coexist when and where possible, and continues to prioritize communication, staff training, public education and outreach to reduce human/beaver conflict. CDFW staff will provide technical assistance to landowners to prevent future occurrence of beaver damage. In 2020, the CDFW Human-Wildlife Conflict Program created a comprehensive online <a href="/Conservation/Laboratories/Wildlife-Health/HWC-Program">Human-Wildlife Conflict Toolkit</a> that includes accessible resources with logistically and economically feasible options to help property owners prevent damage due to beaver activity.</p> <p>“The department’s new Beaver Restoration Program is up and running with the hiring of five environmental scientists dedicated to the program,” continued Bonham. “This is such an exciting time for ecosystem restoration and CDFW is so grateful to the Governor and the Legislature for supporting this new program with funding in Fiscal Year 2022-23.”</p> <p>On May 24, a consortium of advocates representing the Beaver Policy Working Group and the Placer Land Trust hosted a field trip for legislators and agency representatives including CDFW to Doty Ravine in Placer County to see beaver restoration at work. The field trip served to highlight the state’s Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy (Executive Order N-82-20) in action. The California Natural Resources Agency’s YouTube page features an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33luSdp5mjM&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">interview from the field trip (Video)</a> with CDFW Beaver Restoration Program Manager Valerie Cook.</p> <p>On May 25, CDFW hosted its first virtual informational meeting (webinar) to celebrate the formal launch of the new Beaver Restoration Program. More than 250 people including media outlets attended this webinar to learn more about this historic program. Program staff will collaborate with diverse partners to translocate beavers into watersheds where their dams can help restore hydrologic connectivity, ecological processes and natural habitat. A recording of the webinar is available on <a href="/Conservation/Mammals/Beaver">CDFW’s beaver web page</a> under the “Beaver-assisted Restoration” tab.</p> <p><em><strong>Photo Credit:</strong> Traci Beattie / <a href="https://stock.adobe.com/" target="_blank">stock.adobe.com</a></em></p> <p><em><strong>Media contact</strong>:<br /> <a href="mailto:Ken.Paglia@Wildlife.ca.gov">Ken Paglia</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120</em></p> Wildlife Conservation Board Funds Environmental Improvement and Acquisition Projectshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/wildlife-conservation-board-funds-environmental-improvement-and-acquisition-projects7Wildlife Conservation BoardWed, 31 May 2023 10:17:13 GMTAt its May 25, 2023, quarterly meeting, the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) approved approximately $83.15 million in grants to help restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat throughout California and, in some cases, provide new and improved public access, recreational and educational opportunities.<p>At its May 25, 2023, quarterly meeting, the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) approved approximately $83.15 million in grants to help restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat throughout California and, in some cases, provide new and improved public access, recreational and educational opportunities.</p> <p>Among the 28 projects approved, the WCB provided a $24 million grant to The Wildlands Conservancy for a cooperative project with the State Coastal Conservancy to acquire approximately 11,691 acres of land in the Carmel Valley in Monterey County for the protection of upland and lowland habitats and the wildlife species they support.</p> <p>The habitats consist of chaparral, oak woodlands and rolling grasslands along with seasonal creeks that provide riparian corridors supporting numerous species, including threatened and endangered California red-legged frogs and the California tiger salamanders. The property, which exceeds the total acreage of some state parks, will provide wildlife-oriented education and research along with compatible public and private uses.</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>Other funded projects approved by the WCB on May 25 include:</p> <ul> <li>A $2.42 million grant to the Mattole Restoration Council for a cooperative project with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to restore coastal prairie habitat at the Table Bluff Ecological Reserve located 4.5 miles southeast of the city of Loleta in Humboldt County.</li> <li>A $3.1 million grant to the Xerces Society for a cooperative project with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, resource conservation districts and the Natural Resources Conservation Service to administer a block grant to address the decline of monarch butterflies and other imperiled pollinators by creating high quality habitat across California, targeting both monarch overwintering sites and the monarch priority restoration zones as well as improving connectivity across the landscape in various counties.</li> <li>A $4 million grant to the South Yuba River Citizen's League for a cooperative project with the Yuba Water Agency to increase spawning habitat, create backwater habitat and reduce bank erosion on the Yuba River one mile north of Smartsville in Yuba County.</li> <li>A $3.4 million grant to Ducks Unlimited for a cooperative project with USFWS, Sonoma Land Trust, Sonoma County Sanitation District, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and State Coastal Conservancy to develop shovel-ready plans and environmental compliance documentation for up to 6,000 acres of the Sonoma Creek Baylands portion of the San Pablo Baylands in Sonoma County.</li> <li>A $4.2 million grant to The Wildlands Conservancy to acquire approximately 2,333 acres of land for wildlife habitat preservation, restoration and management, wildlife-oriented education and research, habitat connectivity and future wildlife-oriented, public-use opportunities near Bridgeport in Mono County.</li> <li>A $3.34 million grant to Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC) for a cooperative project with Sierra Nevada Conservancy to acquire approximately 2,285 acres of land for the protection of threatened and endangered species, wildlife corridors, habitat linkages and watersheds, and to provide wildlife-oriented, public-use opportunities near the community of Weldon in Kern County. At close of escrow, WRC will direct the seller to convey the approximate 1,039 southwestern acres to the Kern River Valley Heritage Foundation and the approximate 1,246 northeastern acres to the Tübatulabal Tribe’s nonprofit organization for long-term stewardship.</li> <li>A $3.19 million grant to the Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) for a seed bank expansion project to collect, process and store seed, conduct research and develop protocols, create an inventory of California desert seed, and develop and implement outreach and education materials on MDLT-owned lands in Imperial, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.</li> </ul> <p>For more information about the WCB please visit <a href="https://wcb.ca.gov/" target="_blank">wcb.ca.gov</a>.</p> <p><em><strong>CDFW Photo:</strong> Rolling hills and oaks within the Carmel Valley courtesy of Frazier Haney. The property will be acquired to protect the upland and lowland habitats and provide wildlife-oriented education and research<strong>.</strong></em></p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:mark.topping@wildlife.ca.gov">Mark Topping</a>, Wildlife Conservation Board, (916) 539-4673</em></p> CDFW Announces $20.4 Million in Grant Funding to Protect Salmon Habitat and Other California Fish and Wildlife Species Statewidehttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfw-announces-204-million-in-grant-funding-to-protect-salmon-habitat-and-other-california-fish-and-wildlife-species-statewideSalmonThu, 25 May 2023 15:19:16 GMTThe California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is pleased to announce $20.4 million in awards to 15 projects to improve salmon habitat and support climate resiliency, wildlife corridors and wetlands restoration.<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is pleased to announce $20.4 million in awards to 15 projects to improve salmon habitat and support climate resiliency, wildlife corridors and wetlands restoration. This is the third round of grant awards made in 2023 with funding made available last year under <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Watersheds/Restoration-Grants/Concept-Application">Drought, Climate and Nature-Based Solutions Initiatives</a>, bringing the total grant funding awarded to nearly $80 million.</p> <p>“As climate driven challenges to California’s biodiversity continue to grow and shift, our own strategies for new projects must adapt,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “Saving salmon and rebuilding their populations for Californians is the goal and we are meeting these challenges head on.”</p> <p>CDFW has developed a single set of General Grant Program Guidelines to get restoration completed faster. CDFW continues to accept applications for new projects and make awards on an ongoing basis. An overview of eligible project types, priorities and information is available at <a href="http://www.wildlife.ca.gov/grants" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.wildlife.ca.gov/grants</a>.</p> <p><strong>Protecting Species and Habitats Statewide</strong></p> <p>Projects awarded with Drought for Salmon Protection and Wildlife Corridors funds will support planning and implementation of projects to enhance habitat for salmon through removing barriers to fish passage, restoring flows and providing critical habitat for juvenile rearing salmonids.</p> <p>Within CDFW’s Inland Desert Region, two new projects supported with Addressing Climate Impact funds will also focus on the effects of climate-driven weather whiplash on both the arroyo toad and the desert salamander.</p> <p>Throughout central and northern California, Wetlands and Mountain Meadows funds will support projects to restore and enhance floodplains, wetlands and mountain meadows to benefit fish and wildlife species and their habitat. Work will include enhancing waterfowl habitat on Battle Creek in Shasta County. </p> <p><a href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/a2f521824768491392f94ab5113db452" target="_blank">View all projects awarded today online</a>.</p> <p><strong>Increasing Pace and Scale of Restoration</strong></p> <p>In the past 90 days, CDFW has awarded a total of just under $80 million to 53 projects statewide from the $200 million in new initiatives made available this year. CDFW has streamlined the processes for applying for funding, reviewing and finalizing awards, and getting agreements in place so projects can start without delays. Projects awarded in March and April of 2023 have agreements in place and are currently starting work.</p> <p><a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Watersheds/Cutting-Green-Tape">CDFW’s Cutting the Green Tape Program</a> has streamlined the grant process and continues to improve permitting and environmental review of restoration projects statewide.</p> <ul> <li>The First Slough Fish Passage, Floodplain Restoration and Coastal Habitat Connectivity Project, awarded grant funds in this round, is moving forward with implementation with the support of a recent concurrence through <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Cutting-Green-Tape/SERP">CDFW’s Statutory Exemption for Restoration Projects</a> process.</li> <li>The Bull Creek Hamilton Floodplain Restoration Project, also awarded funding in this round, recently worked with the Cutting the Green Tape program to secure a streamlined <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Watersheds/Cutting-Green-Tape/RMP">Restoration Management Permit</a>.</li> </ul> <p>These two project efficiencies alone have saved an estimated $100,000 and countless hours which can now be diverted to more restoration.</p> <p>The pace and scale of CDFW grant funding has also been led by sister agencies including the Wildlife Conservation Board, who in the first two months of 2023 awarded just under $70 million in block grants and another $59 million to individual projects for the enhancement and protection of California biodiversity.</p> <p>###</p> <p><strong>Background</strong></p> <p>This grant funding 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 Green Tape.</p> <p>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 <a href="http://www.wildlife.ca.gov/grants">www.wildlife.ca.gov/grants</a>.</p> <p>###</p> <p><strong>Media contacts</strong>:<br /> <a href="mailto:Matt.Wells@wildlife.ca.gov">Matt Wells</a>, CDFW Watershed Restoration Grant Branch, (916) 216-7848<br /> <a href="mailto:Jordan.Traverso@wildlife.ca.gov">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</p> CDFW To Host Virtual Beaver Restoration Program Informational Meeting on May 25https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfw-to-host-virtual-beaver-restoration-program-informational-meeting-on-may-25WildlifeWed, 24 May 2023 12:47:02 GMTCDFW invites the public to attend its Beaver Restoration Informational Meeting via webinar this Thursday, May 25, from 2 to 3 p.m.<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) invites the public to attend its Beaver Restoration Informational Meeting via webinar this Thursday, May 25, from 2 to 3 p.m. The meeting marks the first in a series of informational meetings and workshops intended to inform stakeholders and the public about CDFW’s beaver management efforts and activities.</p> <p>Virtual meeting link and agenda are now posted on <a href="/Conservation/Mammals/Beaver#574411284-beaver-assisted-restoration">CDFW’s beaver web page</a> under the “Beaver-assisted Restoration” tab.</p> <p>The meeting will provide a broad overview of CDFW’s Beaver Restoration Program, including its purpose, objectives, tasks, and timelines. Additionally, the meeting will address the implementation of pilot and future beaver translocation projects, development of a beaver co-existence toolkit, and policy updates. The meeting will conclude with a public question and answer session. Future public workshops will be scheduled to discuss human-beaver coexistence strategies and the process for developing and requesting beaver translocation projects.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media contact</strong>:<br /> <a href="mailto:Ken.Paglia@Wildlife.ca.gov">Ken Paglia</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120</em></p>