Land Acquisitions

The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB), established in 1947 under the California Fish and Game Code, is tasked with conserving California’s diverse wildlife resources and providing for public recreation. The Board serves as a vital mechanism for funding habitat conservation, restoration, and public access efforts across the state. WCB collaborates with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and other agencies to support land acquisition and ecological improvements that enhance biodiversity and sustainability in California. Through its grants, WCB seeks to support long-term, durable projects that reflect state priorities such as biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, working lands preservation, and inclusive public access. This opportunity supports a wide array of project types including planning, implementation, acquisition, scientific studies, block grants, and technical assistance. Planning grants help prepare future on-the-ground work, while implementation grants support shovel-ready projects such as restoration or public access enhancements. Acquisition grants are available for fee title, water rights, or conservation easements from willing sellers at fair market value. Additionally, WCB provides grants for studies that inform future habitat work and capacity-building efforts like tribal engagement or GIS analysis, provided fund source restrictions permit non-capital spending. Applicants must first submit a pre-application using the designated MS Word template containing “PreApp” in the file name. Supporting maps and photos should be embedded in the same Word document or, if separate, must be in PDF format. Completed pre-applications are submitted via email to WCBpreapps@wildlife.ca.gov. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application. This two-step process is required of all applicants, including government agencies such as CDFW. Final selection and funding decisions rest with the WCB voting members following staff due diligence, technical scoring, and public presentation. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, federal, state, and local agencies, California Native American tribes, and certain private landowners or mutual water companies under special funding provisions. All grant agreements impose obligations related to project performance, environmental compliance, reporting, monitoring, and long-term stewardship. Indirect costs are capped at 15% for eligible project types, and cost share is not mandatory but may improve proposal competitiveness. Projects are evaluated using detailed criteria such as alignment with the WCB strategic plan, climate adaptation value, project readiness, cost-effectiveness, and demonstrated community and tribal support. The application timeline follows a rolling pre-application submission process, with no fixed annual deadline, and the program is recurring. Grants are subject to availability of funds and may be suspended or cancelled based on state budgetary conditions. Final approvals, including real estate transactions, must meet all due diligence and statutory requirements, with acquisitions subject to Department of General Services review and escrow procedures.

Proposals should highlight long-term benefits, regional conservation alignment, Tribal consultation, and measurable co-benefits. Strong cost share improves competitiveness. Monitoring plans and readiness are highly weighted.