Announcements
The Wildlife Conservation Board’s 2020 Proposal Solicitation Notice (PSN) for its Climate Adaptation and Resilience Program is now available. Local governments, park and open space districts, resource conservation districts, private landowners and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply. Proposed projects may include planning (e.g., design and environmental review that lead to future implementation), technical assistance (e.g., development of tools that provide guidance for managing ecosystems under projected climate impacts), and acquisition of conservation easements. PSN priorities will focus on the protection and/or conservation of lands that facilitate wildlife adaptation to projected climate impacts by providing transitional habitat features such as elevation gradients and ecotones, and habitat linkages that enable wildlife movement to and from adjacent wildlife corridors and open space areas.
All applicants must complete and submit the online Pre-Application by 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time on April 7, 2020. WCB will then invite select applicants to submit full proposals. For questions regarding this PSN or the Program, please contact WCB’s Climate Adaptation and Resilience Program at climatewcb@wildlife.ca.gov.
Overview
The Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program was created by AB109 which amended the Budget Act of 2017 to provide $20 million to the Wildlife Conservation Board for local assistance, payable from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). WCB released the first PSN under this program in 2018, leading to nearly $12 million in grant funding to selected projects. This PSN will place the remaining $8 million into qualifying projects. Future grant opportunities under this program may be funded through a similar legislative action, or another funding source. Please be sure you subscribe on the WCB homepage to receive future updates.
The intent of this grant program is to fund projects that provide climate adaptation and resilience on California’s natural and working lands. These projects must be consistent with the State’s climate adaptation strategy (Safeguarding California Plan), contribute to the goals of AB 32, support WCB’s Strategic Plan, and help fulfil WCB’s Mission. In addition, projects will be consistent with other statewide plans and priorities, including the California Water Action Plan (CWAP) and California State Wildlife Action Plan 2015 Update (SWAP).
Program funding is directed toward projects that:
- Protect and restore ecosystems on natural and working lands to provide climate change adaptation and resilience for wildlife.
- Assist natural and working lands managers in implementing practices that provide climate adaptation and resilience.
- Facilitate the reduction of GHG emissions.
- Increase carbon sequestration in natural and working lands, and provide additional social, economic, and environmental benefits, or "co-benefits".