Background
The Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program (NBHIP) was established in 2018 by the passing of Assembly Bill (AB) 2697 and was designed to address declines in locally breeding waterfowl and ring-necked pheasant populations. Although the NBHIP was established (Fish and Game Code § 3480) in 2018, the program was not funded until the passing of AB 614 in October 2021, which created added surcharges to the Upland Game Bird and California Duck Validations. The implementation of these surcharges generates roughly $2 million annually, which is deposited into a dedicated Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program Account (Fish and Game Code § 3467.5).
California's breeding waterfowl populations, especially mallards, have been in steep decline since 1999. The Central Valley Joint Venture (CVJV) estimates that mallard, gadwall and cinnamon teal are all experiencing local population declines and are below their long-term population averages. Ring-necked pheasants, another upland nesting bird and a popular game bird within California, have also experienced substantial population declines. The loss of quality upland nesting habitat is listed within the CVJV 2020 Implementation Plan as one of the major contributions to these population level declines. Due to these declines, NBHIP was established with the primary goal of improving habitat for breeding waterfowl and pheasants. The program is designed to provide economic incentives to encourage private landowners to cultivate or retain upland cover, as well as working with public lands to improve breeding waterfowl habitats through annual enhancements and long-term habitat projects.
Objectives
The Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program's Public Land Program is designed to provide assistance to State Wildlife Areas and National Wildlife Refuges to improve the quantity and quality of upland habitat for the benefit of nesting waterfowl, game birds and pollinators. The public land programs complement a suite of private land incentive programs that work with farmers, ranchers and wetland owners throughout the state to improve nesting habitat on their lands. The private land programs include incentives for Delayed Cereal Grain Harvest, Fallow Agriculture, Agricultural Corridors and Upland Management Agreements. NBHIP has established an advisory committee, comprised of non-profit organizations as well as state and federal agency. This committee provides input on program expenditures and prioritization of funding.
Public land projects funded through NBHIP may include the cultivation or retention of upland cover such as annual nesting cover, perennial native grasses and forbs or management activities to improve the quality of existing perennial grass habitats. These activities include but are not limited to managing noxious weeds and other undesirable plants. Any project that is funded by NBHIP will be required to leave the upland cover habitat unmanipulated (e.g., no discing, spraying herbicides, mowing, chopping, or rolling of vegetation) during the nesting season (April 1 to July 15). Furthermore, to be selected all projects must provide and maintain summer water habitats within one mile of the enhancement areas to ensure adequate brood habitat is available.
Funding
Funding generated for NBHIP changes annually and is based on validation sales for waterfowl and upland game bird hunting. Starting in 2022, a $10 fee (adjusted pursuant to Fish and Game Code § 713) was added to both the California Duck and Upland Game Bird validations. The combination of these two fees generates roughly $2 million annually for the program.
The 2026 solicitation will have $850,000 available for Public Land projects. The funding will be split as follows:
- Maintenance of existing perennial grass habitat ($150,000); and
- Restoration or enhancement of perennial grass habitats ($700,000).
Eligibility
To accomplish the objectives of this program, the Department is authorized to enter into grants or contracts with public and private entities, including nonprofit organizations, and California Native American tribes to help the department implement the program and improve breeding waterfowl and other upland game bird habitats in California (Fish and Game Code § 3480 “…the department may carry out the game bird breeding habitat purposes of the Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program on State Wildlife Areas and National Wildlife Refuges when necessary and as the department deems appropriate…”)
Any organization applying for these funds must have the specific capacity (waterfowl habitat enhancement, native grass restoration, upland habitat creation or agricultural and farming experience to deliver the objectives).
Examples of eligible projects are limited to the following categories:
- Maintenance of existing perennial grass habitat for breeding waterfowl
- Restoration and enhancement of existing perennial grass habitat for breeding waterfowl
- Establishment of new perennial native grass and forb habitat for breeding waterfowl
Application
The Stamp Project annually solicits proposals in February or March each year through its Proposal Solicitation Notice (PSN). This PSN also contains the NBHIP solicitation, submittal, and scoring procedures and a proposal submission template (Word document).
FY 2026 Public Solicitation Notice (PDF), released February 3, 2026. Proposals are due March 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Approved and Funded Projects