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At the November 21 quarterly meeting, the Wildlife Conservation Board awarded $47.5 million in grants and approved 24 habitat protection and restoration projects, covering more than 20,100 acres across 25 counties.
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The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) 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. WCB was created by legislation in 1947. Today it administers nearly 20 programs that support projects in every corner of the state and in each one of California’s terrestrial ecosystems. WCB is a key partner in advancing California’s commitment to conserve 30 percent of its lands and coastal waters by 2030 ( 30x30 ).
WCB's seven-member Board consists of the President of the Fish and Game Commission, the Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Director of the Department of Finance, and four public members, two appointed by the legislature and two by the Governor. Non-voting members include three advisors each from the State Assembly and the State Senate.
See the final agenda for a full list and information about WCB's November projects.
Highlighted Projects
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Skyline North
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Building Resilience on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands
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Toro Creek Phase II
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Hershey Ranch
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Carr Lake Restoration and Park Development
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Enhancing Biodiversity and Resilience in the Amargosa Basin
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Coyote Valley Landscape Linkage Expansion 1
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Hoover Ranch
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Kiser Ranch
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Navarro Watershed – Mill Creek Streamflow Enhancement
Skyline North
Grantee: Endangered Habitats Conservancy
County: San Diego
Grant Awarded: $1,936,558
Summary: This project preserves 557 acres of coastal sage scrub habitat in San Diego County. Coastal Sage scrub is highly important habitat for several protected species, including the Quino checkerspot butterfly, the Hermes copper butterfly, and mountain lions, all of which have very limited and rapidly shrinking ranges. This project not only provides essential habitat for these species, but also serves as a key movement corridor between adjacent protected lands including the Cleveland National Forest, the USFWS National Wildlife Refuge and the Sycuan Peak, Sycuan Peak, McGinty Mountain, Rancho Jamul, Otay Mountain, and Skyline South Ecological Reserves.
“The Skyline North acquisition represents the first step in conserving an important linkage between two Natural Community Conservation Plan areas and a critical movement corridor for the Hermes copper butterfly, facilitating future recolonization of historically occupied habitat. The permanent conservation of this property ensures the wildlife resources it supports will be managed and preserved for the benefit of the public in perpetuity and is an important contribution to the state’s 30x30 initiative.” - Kyle Rice, senior environmental scientist for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Building Resilience on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands
Grantee: The Nature Conservancy (cooperative project with the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State Coastal Conservancy, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Institute of Environmental Studies)
County: Santa Barbara
Grant Awarded: $4,513,000
Summary: This project restores delicate habitats on two Channel Islands off the coast of Santa Barbara. These Islands are a biodiversity hotspot, hosting nearly 1000 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 over-grazing and browsing by introduced herbivorous animals. These invasive herbivores were removed, but certain areas still house extensive invasive weed infestations, and many areas have been eroded. This project addresses these issues by increasing populations of priority listed plant species, removing invasive species, and increasing the area of the fog-harvesting cloud forest on Santa Cruz Island. Public members will also be involved in these restoration efforts.
“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. 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. TNC, NPS and all the project partners are grateful for the opportunities and benefits this will also offer to the public, including the many students and educators who visit and are inspired by the islands each year.” - Jennifer Baker, program director for The Nature Conservancy
Toro Creek Phase II
Grantee: County of San Luis Obispo (cooperative project with the California State Coastal Conservancy, Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County, Cayucos Land Conservancy)
County: San Luis Obispo
Grant Awarded: $3,500,000
Summary: This acquisition completes the second phase of three acquisitions that will preserve 1,400 acres as a county park. Recreation opportunities will include opportunities for hiking, beach access and low-cost camping. This acquisition permanently prohibits future residential and commercial development, protecting water resources and habitats for future generations. This area is a key corridor for the central coast, and provides grassland, oak and coastal scrub habitat for mountain lion, bobcat, and red-tailed hawk, among other important species.
Hershey Ranch
Grantee: Tule River Indian Tribe (cooperative project with the California Natural Resources Agency)
County: Tulare
Grant Awarded: $2,389,475
Summary: This project reconnects the Yokuts, Tubatulabal, and other California Native Tribes, who are now members of the Tule River Tribe with their ancestral land and increases 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 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. 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.” - Charmaine McDarment, chairwoman of the Tule River Tribal Council
Carr Lake Restoration and Park Development
Grantee: Big Sur Land Trust (cooperative project with the Natural Resources Agency, California Department of Water Resources, State Coastal Conservancy)
County: Monterey
Grant Awarded: $4,064,653
Summary: This project restores 67 acres of wetland, riparian, and upland habitat in the heart of the City of Salinas, providing much needed park space to a park “poor” community. Restored riparian habitat will attenuate and treat stormwater flows and provide public access. Over 1.7 miles of nature 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 the City of 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.” - Jeannette Tuitele-Lewis, president and chief executive officer of Big Sur Land Trust .
Enhancing Biodiversity and Resilience in the Amargosa Basin
Grantee: American Bird Conservancy (cooperative project with the Bureau of Land Management, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, University of California Davis, Amargosa Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, China Ranch Date Farm, Shoshone Village)
County: Inyo, San Bernardino
Grant Awarded: $2,930,326
Summary: This project addresses critical issues within the Amargosa basin. This basin is one of the driest regions in North America. Water for the region’s animals and plants is provided by an interconnected system of springs and wetlands, fed by ancient groundwater. This project furthers understanding of these complex hydrological systems to inform sustainable groundwater and resource management in the region. The project will result in riparian restoration designs, a comprehensive Management Plan for the region, and a habitat restoration plan to ensure population persistence and resilience of the Amargosa vole, a highly endangered rodent, whose population in the wild numbers in the hundreds.
“The Amargosa River is a crown jewel of the California Desert, a true bastion of biodiversity that serves as a refuge from climate extremes. This collaborative planning project will design riparian restoration to benefit sensitive bird and fish populations, enhance habitat for the critically endangered Amargosa vole, and further our understanding of this desert river's complex hydrology. The sum of these actions is a blueprint for implementation that will guide the next chapter of adaptive management and conservation of one of California's most unique and fragile landscapes.” - Chris McCreedy, southwest riparian bird recovery coordinator for the American Bird Conservancy .
Coyote Valley Landscape Linkage Expansion 1
Grantee: Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority
County: Santa Clara
Grant Awarded : $5,000,000
Summary: This project preserves and protects 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 is home to several listed species, including the western burrowing owl and the American Badger. This property serves as a key area for flood mitigation for downstream urban centers, including the city of San Jose.
“We are deeply grateful to the Wildlife Conservation Board for their substantial investment to bring these Coyote Valley parcels into public ownership. 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. 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. Restoring the Fisher Creek corridor provides profound benefits to pollinators, birds, bobcats, and many other creatures that rely on the interconnected natural lands of Coyote Valley for cover, food and water. With this work, we are demonstrating that when we care for nature, nature cares for everyone.” - Andrea McKenzie, general manager of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority
Hoover Ranch
Grantee: John Muir Land Trust
County: Contra Costa
Grant Awarded: $5,090,000
Summary: This 600-acre project will protect and establish wetland and riparian woodlands on Bethel Island within the highly biodiverse Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Bethel Island is one of very few delta islands that has an established residential and commercial population. Additionally, this area hosts increasingly rare tidal marsh wetlands and riparian woodlands. This property will likely be restored and used for ecologically considerate public access in the future, providing recreation to local disadvantaged communities and preventing the conversion of this delicate ecosystem to agricultural use.
“JMLT and WCB have been partners for decades in the acquisition and protection of lands that preserve vital wildlife habitat and provide healthful outdoor recreation to state residents. There could be no better example of our partnership, or better example of our shared missions, than the acquisition of Hoover Ranch. All Californians will celebrate adding these 600 acres to the protected places in the Bay Delta, an environmental, economic, and cultural resource with few equals.” - Linus Eukel, executive director for the John Muir Land Trust
Kiser Ranch
Grantee: Sonoma Land Trust (cooperative project with the State Coastal Coservancy)
County: Sonoma
Grant Awarded: $4,885,000
Summary: This project preserves and protects 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. 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.” - John McCaull, land acquisition director for the Sonoma Land Trust
Navarro Watershed – Mill Creek Streamflow Enhancement
Grantee: Mendocino County Resource Conservation District (cooperative project with the The Nature Conservancy)
County: Mendocino
Grant Awarded: $2,749,000
Summary: This project improves streamflow and provides critical habitat for fish and wildlife within the Mill Creek subbasin of the Navarro watershed. This area historically hosted thriving salmonid populations, but in recent years has suffered from extremely low flow during the dry season, going completely dry on several occasions. Within the last decade, salmon and steelhead counts in the Navarro watershed have reflected a fraction of their historic numbers. This project completes a suite of streamflow and habitat activities including placing large woody debris to provide habitat for juvenile salmonids and combat channel incision, installation of a rainwater storage tank and infiltration basin, and completion of pond release plan to supplement Mill Creek with additional water.
“The Mendocino County Resource Conservation District is honored to accept this grant from the Wildlife Conservation Board. Working with our longtime partners, The Nature Conservancy and Trout Unlimited, this project will build on our many years of work in the Navarro River watershed supporting water conservation, improving water quality, and improving stream flow in its tributaries. These are crucial steps to restoring coho salmon and steelhead runs in this important region in Mendocino County.” - Stephanie Garrabrant-Sierra, executive director Mendocino County Resource Conservation District