Oak Woodlands Conservation

The Oak Woodlands Conservation Program is administered by the Wildlife Conservation Board, a state entity under the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The program reflects the state’s long-term priority of conserving and restoring California’s native oak woodlands. It is designed to provide resources that support local efforts to protect these habitats while balancing the needs of ranching, farming, and conservation. The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) convenes four times each year to consider and approve funding for eligible projects, underscoring its role as both a steward of California’s natural landscapes and a partner for landowners and organizations engaged in conservation. The program’s purpose is to promote the sustainable coexistence of working landscapes and ecological preservation. By offering financial support, it aims to bring together ranchers, farmers, local governments, and conservation organizations to pursue mutually beneficial projects. Eligible activities include acquisition and restoration efforts that directly support oak woodland protection. Projects must align with program goals and meet all due diligence requirements before being presented to the WCB for consideration. Funding is available statewide, but applications are reviewed with an eye toward regional priorities. This structure ensures that conservation funding is distributed where it can make the most significant ecological and community impact. The program does not restrict eligibility to a single type of applicant; cities, counties, nonprofit conservation organizations, and landowners are all encouraged to apply. The WCB provides technical support through designated contacts who specialize in acquisition and restoration activities. Applications are accepted year-round, and projects are queued for review once all requirements are complete and sufficient funding is available. Formal approval by the WCB is required for disbursement of funds. Board meetings, where funding decisions are made, are generally held in February, May, August, and November. Applicants are notified when their project will be considered, creating a structured but flexible review process. Because of this system, the program is considered rolling, with no single annual deadline. Spending rules and award amounts are not explicitly detailed in the program overview, and applicants are directed to the WCB Grant Opportunities page for more specific guidelines. However, all projects must demonstrate compliance with eligibility criteria and program priorities. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact program staff before submitting materials to ensure that their proposals align with program requirements. For acquisition-related projects, John Walsh serves as the contact at John.Walsh@wildlife.ca.gov, reachable by phone at (916) 539-8016. For restoration efforts, Jen Stanfield is the designated contact at Jennifer.Stanfield@wildlife.ca.gov, phone (916) 539-4868. General inquiries may be directed to the WCB office located at 715 P Street, 17th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814, or by phone at (916) 445-8448. Mailing correspondence can be sent to Wildlife Conservation Board c/o CDFW, P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090. These contacts ensure applicants have access to the information and support necessary to successfully prepare proposals. In summary, the Oak Woodlands Conservation Program represents a continuous, collaborative opportunity for California communities to safeguard critical habitats. Through its structure, the program provides a mechanism for ranchers and conservationists to work together, fostering both ecological health and economic viability across the state’s oak woodland landscapes. The combination of rolling submissions, quarterly board reviews, and flexible eligibility criteria makes this program an accessible and adaptive funding source for conservation initiatives throughout California.