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Walking mountain lion. Photo courtesy of Dan Potter.
WCB Approves $59.6 Million for Wildlife Crossings, Salmon Recovery, Biodiversity and Public Access Projects
Funding Supports Biodiversity Hotspots and Expanded Access to Nature Across California
The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) approved $59,642,096 in grants for 27 projects across 18 counties to protect biodiversity, restore important wildlife habitats and improve public access to nature. Among these, five projects advance the California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future, restoring floodplains, improving stream complexity, and enhancing spawning and rearing habitat for coho salmon, Chinook salmon and steelhead. Projects also include investments in wildlife corridors, oak woodlands and grasslands, and wildlife-oriented recreation.
The board met at the California Natural Resources Agency headquarters in Sacramento.
WCB’s grants advance Gov. Gavin Newsom’s goal of conserving 30 percent of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030, a globally adopted target known as 30x30. The initiative seeks to protect biodiversity, expand access to nature for all Californians and adapt to climate change.
Advancing Wildlife Crossings in Southern California
- A $5.5 million grant to Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) will fund environmental review and design for two wildlife crossings over State Route 62 near Yucca Valley, reconnecting habitat between the San Bernardino and Little San Bernardino mountains, including Joshua Tree National Park. An additional $4 million grant to Temecula-Elsinore-Anza-Murrieta Resource Conservation District (TEAM RCD), in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), will advance design of a crossing over Interstate 15 in western Riverside County, restoring connectivity between the Santa Ana and Palomar mountains for mountain lions and other wide-ranging species.
“Desert communities exist at the intersection of people, wildlife and wide-open landscapes,” said Kelly Herbinson, executive director of MDLT. “The proposed wildlife crossings will restore natural movement of animals, reduce dangerous wildlife-vehicle collisions and strengthen the ecosystems that sustain us. Thanks to WCB and our partners, we can invest in solutions that protect wildlife while supporting safer roads and resilient communities.”
“WCB’s support will enhance highway safety and ensure wildlife can continue their path without entering human communities,” said Teri Biancardi, president of TEAM RCD. “This planning effort will demonstrate how restoring wildlife corridors goes hand in hand with local residents’ quality of life.”
Investing in the Governor’s Salmon Strategy
- A $2.9 million grant to California Trout Inc. will restore 0.33 miles of the East Fork Scott River at Beaver Valley Headwaters Preserve in Siskiyou County. The project, led in part by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (NCRWQCB), will add side channels, alcoves and large wood structures, reconnect floodplains and improve summer flows for coho salmon.
"Beaver Valley Headwaters Preserve incorporates multiple cold-water tributaries in one corridor,” said Eli Scott, senior environmental scientist for NCRWQCB. “This project is a huge opportunity to build habitat for coho salmon and give them a foothold."
- A $1.1 million grant to Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) will support Lagunitas Creek Aquatic Habitat Enhancement, Phase 2a, in cooperation with the California Department of Water Resources. The project restores stream habitat for coho salmon, steelhead and other native species.
"We are grateful to WCB for their support on this project," said Jed Smith, president of the MMWD Board of Directors. "Through this collaboration, we are making meaningful progress in enhancing Lagunitas Creek and strengthening our watershed."
- A $1.85 million grant to Chico State Enterprises will restore floodplains and habitat on lower Battle Creek in Tehama County for endangered salmon and steelhead, including improved instream flows through water rights retirement.
- A $1.5 million grant to Sonoma County Regional Parks will restore stream complexity and spawning habitat for coho, Chinook and steelhead on Mark West Creek in Sonoma County.
- A $3.65 million grant to the Yosemite River Alliance will restore nearly a quarter mile of the Tuolumne River near La Grange, reconnecting the river to its historic floodplain to improve spawning and rearing conditions for fall-run Chinook salmon and steelhead.
Enhancing Biodiversity at Pepperwood Preserve
- A $1.75 million grant to Pepperwood Foundation (PF), in cooperation with Conservation Corps North Bay, will restore 893 acres of oak woodland and grasslands in Sonoma County. The project reduces fuel loads, enhances biodiversity, restores native grasslands and oak woodlands, and brings back cultural burning as part of land stewardship.
“The Pepperwood project will enhance wildlife habitat in a biodiversity ‘hot spot’ in the Mayacamas Mountains of Sonoma County,” said Michael Gillogly, preserve manager for PF. “Oak woodlands and native grasslands provide habitat for wildlife and pollinators threatened by poor stewardship and development. The project includes indigenous cultural fire, forest thinning, grassland restoration and invasive species treatments.”
Expanding Public Access at Watsonville Slough
- A $4.88 million grant to the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County (LTSCC) will construct a five-mile trail network and new visitor amenities at Watsonville Slough Farm. The project will provide free access to wetlands, grasslands and working agricultural lands, with bilingual interpretation, educational programming and improved connections for underserved communities.
“I am so pleased that the Watsonville Slough Trails project has been approved!” said Sen. John Laird, D-Santa Cruz. “The project will open the outdoors for young people and others who have historically been excluded from such opportunities. Hats off to WCB for its vision and support, which will enable people to explore and feel inspired by the natural world in this beautiful region of the Central Coast."
“At LTSCC, we believe everyone should be able to connect with nature and learn from our incredible wild and working lands,” said Sarah Newkirk, executive director of LTSCC. “This funding from WCB will help people of all ages immerse themselves in nature and learn about the native habitat and sloughs that make Santa Cruz County special.”
About the Wildlife Conservation Board
Established in 1947, the Wildlife Conservation Board protects, restores and enhances California’s spectacular natural resources for wildlife and the public’s use and enjoyment. WCB works in partnership with Tribes, conservation groups, government agencies and the people of California to safeguard biodiversity and expand access to nature.
For more information about WCB, visit wcb.ca.gov. To explore the newly funded projects, visit WCB’s StoryMaps pages. ###
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