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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