Wildlife Conservation Board Approved Projects

State Route 91 B Canyon Wildlife Crossing

Grantee:  Caltrans 

County: Riverside

Grant Awarded: $10,600,000 

Summary: This project will upgrade an existing box culvert under State Route 91 to remove a kink to regain line of sight for connection as a wildlife corridor. This project has been identified on the CDFW Wildlife Barrier Priorities List as a critical step toward restoring habitat connectivity in Southern California, as it would help to counteract habitat fragmentation that threatens the genetic health of local mountain lion populations. 

“Thanks to the unwavering support of the WCB, which has also played a crucial role in acquiring additional land for conservation in B Canyon, this funding will enable the construction of a fully functioning wildlife crossing. Without the guidance and support from the WCB, this undertaking may have taken several years or even decades to come to fruition, if it ever did at all.” - Kurt Heidelberg, Deputy Director of Environmental for Caltrans District 8

San Jacinto Wildlife Area Enhancement

Grantee:  California Waterfowl Association  (cooperative project with  California Department of Fish and Wildlife )  

County: Riverside

Grant Awarded: $5,777,000

Summary: This project upgrades water conveyance structures and water use efficiency to facilitate management and stewardship of managed wetlands at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area. Improvements include a 200-acre wetland sanctuary for brooding and molting waterfowl and nesting tri-colored blackbirds, restoration of 585 acres of seasonal wetlands and installation of a water recovering system, allowing for the reuse of up to 1000-acre feet of water per year drained from seasonal wetlands on site. These enhancements will provide access to wildlife year-round.

"As one of the largest freshwater marshes near the Southern California coast, this wetland jewel is extremely important, especially for wintering and migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. Tens of thousands of birds rely on San Jacinto Wildlife Area’s ecosystem for supporting their wintering and year-round needs. The habitat improvements and infrastructure upgrades being funded by WCB will help ensure long-term water conservation and recycling capabilities. CDFW staff will be able to efficiently manage and improve these critical habitats for years to come, increasing resources for the area's many wetland-dependent species without having to depend as much on local water supplies." - Chadd Santerre, California Waterfowl Director of Wetland Programs

I-5 Sierra Madre-Castaic Wildlife Crossing Planning

Grantee:  Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority  

County: Los Angeles

Grant Awarded: $4,921,000 

Summary: This study of a complete wildlife movement barrier between the Sierra Madre and Castaic Ranges will gather critical data on wildlife movement. By identifying key crossing points and habitat corridors, this research, will help inform future conservation strategies and infrastructure planning to restore connectivity for species in the region. Understanding these movement patterns is essential for mitigating habitat fragmentation and ensuring long-term ecological resilience. 

“The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority’s I-5 Sierra Madre Castaic planning project sets the stage for securing and enhancing cross-Interstate, transverse range habitat connectivity between the Los Padres and Angeles National Forests. This regional freeway crossing effort can capitalize on the combination of well-positioned, protected land holdings and existing Caltrans infrastructure. The timing is crucial to invest in the optimal remaining linkages opportunities across this major movement barrier.” - Paul Edelman, deputy for natural resources and planning for SMMC

Richmond Ranch

Grantee:  Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency 

County: Santa Clara

Grant Awarded: $4,000,000  

Summary: This project protects 1,218 acres of critical habitats and biodiversity and provides future opportunities for wildlife-oriented public use., The Property borders thousands of acres of protected lands providing additional connectivity and ensuring long-term ecological and recreational benefits for Santa Clara County. 

Eden Landing, Phase II

Grantee:  Ducks Unlimited, Inc.  (cooperative project with the  California State Coastal Conservancy ,  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ,  National Fish and Wildlife Foundation , and  California Department of Fish and Wildlife ) 

County: Alameda 

Grant Awarded: $5,350,000

Summary: 1,300 acres of tidal marsh and 800 acres of enhanced aquatic managed pond habitat at Eden Landing near the cities of Hayward and Union City on the East San Francisco Bay shoreline, in Alameda County, part of the largest tidal wetland restoration effort on the West Coast.  This restoration increases biodiversity, improves water quality, protects bayside communities against extreme weather events, and improves opportunities for public access and recreation. 

“Southern Eden Landing is a unique stretch of East Bay shoreline that plays a critical role for waterbirds, fish, other wildlife, and people. This project represents true landscape-scale restoration, providing homes for plovers, terns, rails, salmon, sturgeon, and leopard sharks. It is situated in an easily accessible location near the communities of Union City and Hayward, for all Bay Area residents. The Wildlife Conservation Board's partnership is essential to the success of this significant endeavor, joining other federal, state, regional, and nonprofit partners.” - Renee Spenst, Ph.D., regional biologist for Ducks Unlimited, San Francisco Bay and California Coast

Rough Creek Native Fish Restoration

Grantee:  California Department of Fish and Wildlife 

County: Mono

Grant Awarded: $1,604,000  

Summary: This project will remove the invasive trout from 24 miles of the Rough Creek watershed to improve conditions for the future restoration of a native fish assemblage. Through installation of a fish barrier at the confluence of Rough Creek and the Walker River, and use of electrocution to eliminate non native trout, this project will allow for reintroduction of native fish.

“Rough Creek provides an unparalleled but time sensitive opportunity for native fish restoration: the Rough Creek drainage is a complex of cold, spring-fed streams that flows from California into Nevada before joining the East Walker River. The California portion of the system contains 24-miles linear miles of stream complex, but it is currently inhabited by non-native trout (which exclude the native fish assemblage). This is a first-of-its-kind species assemblage restoration and will remove the non-native trout and restore a species assemblage that has not occurred on the landscape in living memory.  When complete, the restoration will achieve three recovery objectives listed in the 2019 Updated Goals and Objectives for Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Recovery, help stabilize two declining species and enhance angling opportunities in one of California’s remaining natural landscapes.” - Nick Buckmaster, fisheries supervisor for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife