Inland Wetlands Conservation

The Inland Wetlands Conservation Program (IWCP) is administered by the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) of California to support the Central Valley Joint Venture (CVJV) in its mission to conserve wetlands and associated habitats in California’s Central Valley. The CVJV is a partnership of 22 public and private organizations dedicated to increasing the populations of several bird groups, including breeding and non-breeding waterfowl, shorebirds, waterbirds, riparian landbirds, grassland-oak savannah landbirds, and at-risk species. The IWCP was established as a tool to help implement the goals outlined in the CVJV’s Implementation Plan, which targets both breeding and non-breeding bird populations through habitat conservation. The program's geographic focus aligns with the CVJV jurisdiction, which includes the broader Central Valley watershed. However, conservation efforts are primarily directed toward the Central Valley floor, a 400-mile stretch from Red Bluff to Bakersfield. This area is subdivided into five regional focus zones: Sacramento, Yolo-Delta, Suisun, San Joaquin, and Tulare. These planning regions are considered critical to achieving the conservation outcomes identified in the CVJV Implementation Plan. Funding from the IWCP is designated for projects that contribute to the acquisition, restoration, or enhancement of wetlands and wildlife-friendly agricultural lands. Specifically, eligible activities include acquiring land or water resources for wetlands development, purchasing conservation easements, restoring degraded habitats, and enhancing existing public or private lands. These allowable uses are designed to promote sustainable habitat improvements for targeted bird species and to help preserve California’s wetland ecosystems. Eligibility for the IWCP is broad, allowing both public and private landowners and managers to participate. While the exact eligibility criteria are not exhaustively detailed on the IWCP webpage, the program supports a variety of conservation actions on both public and private properties. This inclusive approach encourages collaboration between governmental entities and private stakeholders in the shared goal of protecting Central Valley wetlands. Application instructions for the IWCP direct potential applicants to the Wildlife Conservation Board's Grant Opportunities page, suggesting that application cycles and formats may follow standard WCB protocols. While no specific application deadlines, forms, or review criteria are listed on the IWCP page, applicants are advised to coordinate with WCB staff, including James Croft, who is listed as the primary program contact. He can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at (916) 926-7523. Overall, the IWCP is a recurring opportunity integrated into the ongoing conservation framework of the Central Valley. While explicit submission timelines or award cycles are not disclosed in the program overview, the reference to standard WCB grant procedures implies that applicants should monitor the Grant Opportunities portal for current or anticipated deadlines. The program supports the long-term conservation of critical bird habitats and offers funding mechanisms for diverse habitat-related projects across the Central Valley floor.