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

WCB Approves $87.1 Million for Habitat, Salmon Recovery and Tribal Land Return Projects

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 09:54:13 GMT

Funding Includes Support for Historic Return of More Than 10,000 Acres at Loyalton Ranch to the Washoe People

The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) approved $87,125,538 in grants for 16 projects across 14 counties to protect critical wildlife habitat, restore rivers and streams, and conserve culturally and ecologically significant lands. Among these, seven projects advance the California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future, restoring fish passage, reconnecting rivers to floodplains, and improving spawning and rearing habitat for endangered salmon and steelhead.

The board met at MiraCosta College’s San Elijo Campus in Cardiff, San Diego County, marking its first meeting outside Sacramento.

The 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.

Loyalton Ranch Acquisition Returns Ancestral Lands to Washoe People

The board approved a $5.5 million grant to the Wášiw-šiw Land Trust to support the purchase of 10,274 acres at Loyalton Ranch, a historic return of ancestral lands to the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California (Tribe) in the northern Sierra Nevada. The property, which is located northeast of Lake Tahoe and approximately 20 miles north of Reno, features sagebrush lowlands, conifer forests, mountain meadows, springs, and perennial creeks, providing habitat for pronghorn, mule deer, mountain lion, as well as culturally important plants such as pinyon pine.

“The reclamation of these Washoe homelands is of great importance,” said Tribal Chairman Serrell Smokey. “Wá·šiw people were once forcefully removed from these lands. Now the land is calling the Washoe people home and we are answering that call. We are deeply grateful to WCB for providing essential funding for this historic land purchase by the Wášiw-šiw Land Trust.”

“This project reflects what’s possible when state, tribal, and conservation partners work together to protect land that holds deep cultural and ecological importance,” said Jennifer Norris, executive director of WCB. “We are honored to support the Wášiw-šiw Land Trust in reclaiming this landscape and carrying forward the cultural knowledge and land management practices that have shaped it for thousands of years.”

The Loyalton Ranch acquisition, a culmination of a four-year collaboration between the Tribe, the Northern Sierra Partnership and the Feather River Land Trust, is part of the Tribe’s plan to reclaim and steward lands across the northern Washoe homelands, with the purchase expected to close in early 2026.

Featured Conservation Projects to Support Salmon and Steelhead Recovery in Central Valley

A $15-million grant to River Partners to acquire 1,715 acres of land and water rights along Battle Creek in Tehama County will provide instream flows to protect spawning and rearing habitat for endangered salmon and steelhead.

“The acquisition of the historic Battle Creek Ranch represents a transformative step in restoring the health of Battle Creek and reconnecting habitats essential for building back populations of endangered salmon, steelhead, and other wildlife,” said Julie Rentner, president of River Partners.

WCB also approved a $584,999 grant to retire water rights on the property, boosting stream flows and improving habitat for aquatic species.

A $15-million grant to Meridian Farms Water Company for the Meridian Farms Fish Screen Project in Sutter County will replace two unscreened water diversions on the Sacramento River with a single modern, screened diversion. The project removes one of the river’s last high-priority unscreened diversions, improving passage and survival for all four runs of Chinook salmon and supporting long-term drought resilience and water-management flexibility.

“This project helps to enhance passage and protect all four runs of Chinook salmon and will also enhance drought resilience for the region,” said Andy Duffey, general manager of Meridian Farms Water Company. “This brings to a close a more than two-decade effort by Meridian Farms to provide these protections to fish in the Sacramento River.”

A $31.9-million grant to the Sutter Butte Flood Control Agency for the Robinson’s Riffle Restoration Project in Butte County will restore 1 mile of the Feather River and reconnect it to 51 acres of floodplain, improving salmon and steelhead habitat.

“We are excited to partner with WCB to implement the project and realize the benefits to the Feather River and the fish it supports,” said Michelle Forsha, fisheries restoration and reintroduction supervisor for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). “We hope this project is the start of a long partnership toward bringing about restoration in the Central Valley.”

“Recovering salmon runs in the Central Valley will take bold, coordinated investment,” said Charlton H. Bonham, chair of WCB and director of CDFW. “WCB continues to deliver on-the-ground results, putting resources directly into the places that matter most for salmon recovery.”

Jennifer Norris, executive director of WCB, added: “These projects represent how California agencies are working together to restore functional river systems and resilient habitats that support both fish and people.”

About the Wildlife Conservation Board

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 Releases 5-Year Strategic Plan

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 13:40:13 GMT

Updated Plan Shaped by Public, Tribal and Partner Input Statewide

The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) today announced the release of its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan that will guide the Board’s conservation and public access investments over the next five years.

The updated plan builds on WCB’s 2014 Strategic Plan and reflects California’s current conservation priorities, including Pathways to 30x30, Outdoors for All and the Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets (PDF). It emphasizes collaboration with Tribes, community partners and agencies to protect biodiversity, advance climate resilience, expand equitable access to nature and improve organizational effectiveness.

“California’s natural landscapes are changing rapidly, and WCB’s role is more important than ever,” said Jennifer Norris, executive director of WCB. “This plan will help us meet the biodiversity and climate challenges of our time while ensuring all Californians — including future generations — can connect with the state’s incredible natural heritage.”

To shape the plan, WCB hosted public listening sessions across the state in fall 2024, conducted an online survey and held multiple Tribal listening sessions. Input from communities, Tribes and partners directly informed the final framework.

“This Strategic Plan reflects the collective wisdom of communities, Tribes and partners across the state,” added Charlton H. Bonham, chair of WCB and director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. “It reaffirms WCB’s commitment to collaboration, science-driven decision making and delivering meaningful benefits for people and wildlife.”

The 2025–2030 Strategic Plan is available at wcb.ca.gov.

About the Wildlife Conservation Board

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Wildlife Conservation Board Awards $21.7 Million in Grants to 16 Habitat Conservation and Restoration Projects

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 14:52:44 GMT

Grants Will Protect Nearly 14,000 Acres, Including Rare Peat Fen Wetland in Humboldt County

The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) has approved $21.7 million in grants to support 16 habitat protection and restoration projects in 11 counties across California. Awarded at WCB’s August 28 meeting, the projects will support biological diversity across 13,940 acres of the state’s most ecologically important landscapes.

Among the awards is a $559,000 acquisition by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to protect 120 acres near Bridgeville in Humboldt County. The property includes a rare peat fen wetland — a sensitive, permanently saturated natural wetland community ranked as “critically imperiled” — along with mixed evergreen hardwood and riparian forest.

The fen provides a cold-water source for endangered summer steelhead trout in the Van Duzen River and stores an estimated 947 metric tons of carbon. The purchase will expand the North Coast Range Fen Conservation Area, protecting habitat for a variety of sensitive species and supporting forest restoration to improve fire resiliency.

“This acquisition permanently protects one of California’s rarest wetland types while supporting a cold-water source critical to the recovery of summer steelhead trout,” said James Ray, senior environmental scientist for CDFW. “It’s a win for biodiversity, climate resilience and long-term habitat stewardship in Humboldt County.”

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 $3.62 million grant to the Truckee River Watershed Council (TRWC) to restore forest and aquatic habitat in Nevada County’s Middle Truckee River watershed. The Alder-89 Forest and Lahontan Cutthroat Trout (LCT) Habitat Restoration Project will improve 2,555 acres of forest, including 46 acres of aspen stands, and complete environmental planning on 1,245 acres in the Upper Independence Creek area — a key spawning habitat for one of California’s few remaining wild LCT populations. Work will include thinning overstocked forests, reducing hazardous fuels, restoring meadow and riparian areas and increasing resilience to high-severity wildfire along the Highway 89 corridor.

“The funding provided by WCB for the Alder 89 and the LCT fuels projects continues the momentum of the Middle Truckee River Watershed Forest Partnership in achieving our goal of implementing forest health and ecological restoration activities across 60,000 acres in the next decade,” said Eben Swain, project director of the TRWC. “The combination of implementation and planning support is critical to protecting forest, community and watershed health for years to come.”

A $1.2 million grant to the city of Rio Dell to complete the final phase of its first multi-use recreational trail. Located in Humboldt County, the Eel River Trail Accessible Ramp Project will construct an ADA-compliant ramp at the Davis Street trailhead, ensuring people of all abilities can access the scenic Eel River and surrounding redwood bluffs. This project helps advance California’s Outdoors for All initiative.

The 1,600-foot Class I path, completed in Phase I earlier this year, features nature-based recreation, educational signage on local ecology and Native American history and connects to the Great Redwood Trail Master Plan. The ramp will complete a 2-mile accessible loop, improve safety and provide emergency vehicle access to the river.

“In the heart of the California Coastal Redwoods, Rio Dell is creating something transformative,” said Kyle Knopp, MPA, city manager of the city of Rio Dell. “WCB’s investment will complete the final segment of our Eel River Trail — a fully ADA accessible gateway that opens the Eel River and our ancient and towering Eel River Bluffs to everyone. This isn’t just about a trail; it’s about ensuring that the wonder and power of this riparian area can be experienced by all visitors, regardless of ability.”

More than $3.4 million in grants to the Escondido Creek Conservancy (ECC) to protect two key properties in San Marcos — 96-acre Elfin Acres and 160-acre White Atterbury. Funded in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the acquisitions safeguard southern mixed chaparral, coastal sage scrub, riparian habitats and seasonal wetlands that support the coastal California gnatcatcher, southwest pond turtle, western spadefoot toad and other rare species. Together, the properties connect to more than 2,000 acres of protected lands, linking wildlife corridors and expanding public trail networks in North San Diego County.

“These acquisitions complete and connect critical habitat within the gnatcatcher core of the North County Multiple Species Conservation Program Plan,” said Ann Van Leer, executive director of the ECC. “They also enhance opportunities for public trails and outdoor education while protecting rare wildlife for generations to come.”

A $3.24 million grant to the Newport Bay Conservancy for the final phase of restoration at Big Canyon, part of the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve and Big Canyon Nature Park in Orange County. The project will restore 14 acres of salt marsh, transitional freshwater wetlands, riparian corridors and upland habitat, benefiting at least 12 listed species while improving resilience to sea level rise. Work will also enhance public trails and expand educational partnerships with local schools and conservation groups.

“WCB’s support is a crucial final step toward restoring the mouth of Big Canyon, creating 14 acres of historical salt marsh and establishing functioning transitional wetlands,” said Heather Cieslak, operations director of the Newport Bay Conservancy. “This project has been 20 years in the making, and its completion will provide long-term climate resilience and help protect disappearing habitats and several threatened species along our coast.”

About the Wildlife Conservation Board

The Wildlife Conservation Board is a state grant-making agency dedicated to safeguarding California’s spectacular biological diversity and wild spaces for the benefit of present and future generations. WCB works in partnership with tribes, conservation organizations and government agencies to acquire lands and design and implement habitat restoration and public access projects statewide.

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