The Wildlife Conservation Board’s 2021 Proposal Solicitation Notice (PSN) (PDF) for the Stream Flow Enhancement Program is now available. Under this Solicitation, approximately $15 million is anticipated to be available for award through Proposition 1. The primary focus is on enhancing flow in streams that support anadromous fish; support special status, threatened, endangered, or at-risk species; and/or provide resilience to climate change. Enhanced stream flow is defined as a change in the amount, timing, and/or quality of the water flowing down a stream, or a portion of a stream, to benefit fish and wildlife.

In addition, priorities of the 2021 Stream Flow Enhancement Program solicitation will be to support projects that:

• Directly result in meaningful increases in the availability and/or quality of water in streams such as through the acquisition or long-term dedication of water rights.
• Are located in southern California, though projects located in other regions will also be accepted.
• Evaluate stream flow conditions and stream responses to previous Stream Flow Enhancement Program projects.
• Are consistent with the objectives and actions outlined in the California Water Action Plan.

Concept Proposals must be received by 5:00 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time, on October 18, 2021. WCB will then invite select applicants to submit full proposals. Please see the Program page to access the Concept Proposal application form. For questions, contact the Stream Flow Enhancement Program at wcbstreamflow@wildlife.ca.gov.

The California Wildlife Conservation Board has moved. Our new address is 715 P Street, 17th Floor, Sacramento, 95814. We are in the new California Natural Resources Agency Headquarters building. Though we are still teleworking, we are looking forward to hosting board meetings in the building's beautiful auditorium sometime in 2022.

Wildlife Conservation Board would like to wish everyone a happy Biodiversity Week. Biodiversity conservation is one of our Strategic Plan (PDF) top priorities as we, with our partners, contribute to preservation, restoration and access for all throughout the state. At our last Board meeting the Board approved 27 projects for $46 million. A few example projects that support biodiversity include:

San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve - Brown headed cowbird


Kingfisher Flat Hatchery


Stookey Ranch Preserve

• A grant to restore and enhance 84 acres of riparian and wetland habitat at the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve in San Diego County. The Project will restore 25 acres of riparian woodland, scrub, and freshwater and alkali marsh habitats to provide climate-resilient, high-quality habitat for the coastal least Bell’s vireo, southwestern willow flycatcher, coastal California gnatcatcher, Ridgway’s rail, other migratory/resident birds, and other associated wildlife.
• A grant to restore fire-damaged equipment and infrastructure of the Kingfisher Flat Hatchery that has supported salmonid spawning and rearing for conservation for nearly 40 years including federally listed endangered Central California Coast coho salmon.
• A grant to acquire approximately 7,344 acres of land for the protection of oak woodlands, annual grassland and open meadow areas along with a mixed conifer forest, including riparian corridors, salmonid streams, coastal watersheds and habitat linkages in Mendocino and Trinity counties. The property is in the Eel River watershed that supports over 75 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 15 species of fish including coho salmon and steelhead trout.
• A grant to acquire 226± acre Stookey Ranch Preserve to conserve wildlife corridors, habitat linkages, and to provide wildlife-oriented, public-use opportunities in Mariposa County. The Property’s diverse ecosystems provide high quality habitat opportunities for great gray owl, olive-sided flycatcher, western pond turtle, yellow warbler, pallid bat, ringtail, porcupine, foothill yellow-legged frog, and other species of concern.

The Wildlife Conservation Board's 2021 Proposal Solicitation Notice (PSN) (PDF) for wildlife corridor and fish passage projects is now available. Proposals may be for planning or implementation projects that construct, repair, modify, or remove transportation infrastructure or water resources infrastructure improving passage for wildlife or fish. Additional consideration will be given for projects that restore or enhance wildlife mobility or fish passage across barriers whose impacts on migration have been increased by drought conditions.

All applicants must complete the online Pre-Application by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on October 5, 2021. WCB will then invite select applicants to submit full proposals.

For questions regarding this PSN or the Program, please contact WCB Program manager, Don Crocker, at WCBcorridors@wildlife.ca.gov.

The Wildlife Conservation Board approved expenditures of $46 million for 26 projects at its meeting on August 26, 2021.

Press Release