SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced over $20.5 million in grants to seven projects in California that support land acquisition and conservation planning for at-risk and listed species through the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund.
Partners in California will receive close to half of the $48.4 million awarded nationally to 19 states and Guam to conserve 23,000 acres of habitat for 80 listed and at-risk species. The grants will be matched by more than $27.75 million in non-federal partner funds.
“Thanks to the Endangered Species Act, this critical funding will help in conserving our nation’s most imperiled wildlife and vital habitat while fostering partnerships between federal, state and local governments, private landowners and communities,” said Service Director Martha Williams. “These grants support the Biden-Harris administration’s America the Beautiful initiative goal to conserve, connect and restore 30 percent of the Nation’s lands and waters by protecting biodiversity, slowing extinction rates and facilitating collaborative restoration efforts.”
The Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund supports the following three nationally competitive grant programs: the Recovery Land Acquisition Grant Program, the Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grant Program, and the Conservation Planning Assistance Grant Program. Projects in California include the following:
Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grants
Central Coastal Orange County Natural Community Conservation Plan and Habitat Conservation Plan
The San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy will be awarded $10 million to acquire the first phase of the 510-acre West Coyote Hills property located in the City of Fullerton. The Wildlife Conservation Board is expected to provide the 50 percent in matching funds. The entire site is designated critical habitat for the federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher, as it supports a core population of the species important for genetic interchange. The ecologically significant property also provides habitat for the federally endangered least Bell’s vireo, likely the at-risk species western spadefoot toad, and State Species of Special Concern including the cactus wren, sharp-shinned hawk and coastal western whiptail lizard.
City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan Northwest San Diego County Multiple Habitat Conservation Program, San Diego Gas & Electric Habitat Conservation Plan
The Escondido Creek Conservancy will be awarded $5,155,500 towards the acquisition of three properties of 291 acres located in the City of San Marcos and unincorporated San Diego County. The Wildlife Conservation Board is expected to provide the 50% of the matching funds. The properties provide habitat for four listed species including the federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher and Encinitas Baccharis, and the federally endangered least Bell’s vireo and southwestern willow flycatcher.
Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Plan and Natural Communities Conservation Plan
The Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency received a grant for $2,504,420 that will go toward to the purchase of the Anderson Lake Ranch property. A portion of the acquired property will be transitioned into a 540-acre wildlife reserve that will contain about 90% of the range wide population of endangered Coyote ceanothus, protecting the population in perpetuity.
Recovery Land Acquisition Grants
San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat Recovery Land Acquisition
The San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District will receive $1,068,375 in federal funding to acquire two parcels totaling 32 acres located in the City of Rialto, San Bernardino County to benefit the federally endangered San Bernardino kangaroo rat. The Wildlife Conservation Board is expected to provide the 26 percent non-Federal matching funds totaling $369,346. The awardee will also contribute $24,500 towards the acquisition. The permanent protection of this land is also expected to benefit the federally endangered Santa Ana River woolly-star and may provide the opportunity for the establishment of a new populations of the federally endangered slender-horned spineflower.
Protection of California Red-Legged Frog Habitat through Acquisition of Bear Creek Ranch Property in El Dorado County
The American River Conservancy will be awarded $1,546,901 in federal funds and $1,461,400 matched by a Cal Fire Forest Legacy grant, to acquire the Bear Creek Ranch property in El Dorado County. This acquisition will permanently protect a site that is home to one of the largest California red-legged frog populations in the Sierra Nevada range and supports their vital breeding habitat.
Conservation Planning Assistance Grants
San Benito County Conservation Plan
San Benito County will receive $910,558 to support the development of a Habitat Conservation Plan, permanent protection of habitat through the establishment of preserves, and development of management guidelines for the conservation and recovery of twenty-two federally listed and at-risk species such as the blunt-nosed leopard lizard, giant kangaroo rate, San Joaquin kit fox, San Joaquin woolly-threads, and monarch butterfly. A non-federal cost share of $319,926 will be provided by the San Benito County Planning Department towards this project. San Benito County is topographically diverse, encompassing mountains, gently sloping foothills, rich agricultural valleys, and urban areas.
Humboldt Redwood Company Habitat Conservation Plan Amendment
The Service has been working with Humboldt Redwood Company since 2008 after they purchased Pacific Lumber Company assets and assumed the Habitat Conservation Plan and permit. Throughout the16 year partnership, the Service and Humboldt Redwood Company have worked to conserve and protect the northern spotted owl, marbled murrelet and other listed and at-risk species. The grant of $464,479 will allow the Service and Company to incorporate updates to the Plan with the last 25 years of information, streamline processes, and move forward to protect and conserve listed and at-risk species.
Authorized by Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act and partly funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, these grants contribute millions annually to support the implementation of state and territorial programs that conserve and recover federally listed and at-risk species on non-federal lands. This approach to conservation, done in cooperation with states, territories, willing landowners and local partners, furthers species conservation and facilitates compatible economic development.
For a full list of awards and to learn more about the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund grant programs, please visit the Service’s program page.
The ESA provides a critical safety net for North America’s native fish, wildlife and plants. The Service is working to actively engage conservation partners and the public in the search for improved and innovative ways to conserve and recover imperiled species. Learn more online about our endangered species efforts.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov, or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn, Flickr, and YouTube.
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