Shasta Valley Program

The Shasta Valley Regional Conservation Partnership Program is part of a broader initiative managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). This program operates under the umbrella of the Klamath Basin Forests and Watersheds Restoration funding opportunity, which seeks to improve ecosystem conditions within the Klamath River Basin—a region of national ecological and cultural importance. The Shasta Valley component focuses specifically on the Shasta River watershed in California, a critical habitat for the recovery of Southern Oregon Northern California Coast (SONCC) coho salmon. The overarching purpose of the Shasta Valley Program is to support voluntary conservation actions that address pressing water and habitat concerns affecting fish and wildlife. These include enhancing upstream water management, improving conveyance and on-farm water efficiency, increasing instream flows, and improving water quality to address habitat inadequacy and water degradation. Projects are expected to align with key resource concerns and be located within the Shasta River watershed, including its tributaries such as Big Springs Creek and Parks Creek. Projects must not overlap with efforts already listed in the Shasta River Safe Harbor Agreement. In 2026, NFWF anticipates funding between two to four projects under the Shasta Valley Program, with award amounts ranging from $500,000 to $2,000,000. Importantly, the program mandates a 1:1 contribution requirement; each dollar of program funding must be matched by a non-USDA contribution, which can be from other federal or non-federal sources. These contributions must meet specific requirements, including being relevant to the program’s goals, benefiting agricultural producers, being part of approved project agreements, and being documented and reported appropriately. The eligible applicants include a wide spectrum of public and nonprofit entities, such as non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and tribal, local, and state governments. Ineligible entities include businesses, unincorporated individuals, international organizations, and U.S. federal agencies. Proposals must be submitted through NFWF’s Easygrants online system. Before submission, applicants are required to consult with NFWF Program Manager Erica Engstrom-Schau to review project components and budget materials. The full proposal deadline is February 17, 2026, and selected projects will be announced in June 2026. The review period will run from February through May 2026. All projects must be completed by June 30, 2028, and contributions must be fully expended before October 23, 2028. The program is recurring, offering opportunities in future years, with the next expected cycle in Winter 2027. Evaluation criteria emphasize conservation impact, community engagement, cost-effectiveness, technical merit, and compliance. Applicants are encouraged to include metrics such as acre-feet of water conserved, number of stream miles restored, or acres of habitat enhanced. Additionally, spatial data and baseline monitoring are important to ensure rigorous project evaluation. Proposals should reflect collaboration with local stakeholders, identify and support affected communities, and align with NFWF’s California Forests and Watersheds Business Plan.

Contact NFWF Program Manager before submission; identify NRCS practices and reimbursement rates; ensure alignment with water conservation metrics.