Lower American River Conservancy Program

Overview

The Lower American River Conservancy Program (Program) was created in 2017 by Assembly Bill 1716 (PDF). The Program was created to bring a state partner to the American River Parkway (Parkway)to work with local agencies and nonprofits to provide grants to restore, enhance, interpret, protect, and improve public access to the Parkway's natural, recreational, educational, and cultural resources.

The Program has an advisory committee (Committee) whose role is to review each eligible project and provide a recommendation for funding. The Committee meets twice each calendar year in downtown Sacramento and meetings are open to the public. The Committee consists of 12 members, including:

Three members of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors
Two representatives of the City of Sacramento
One representative of the City of Rancho Cordova
Representatives from the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Finance, and the State Lands Commission
Three members from the public at large who have demonstrated knowledge of and expertise in the American River Parkway and the American River Parkway Plan

Helpful Resources

Advisory Committee

Advisory Committee Charter (PDF)

Members

State Representatives

Morgan Kilgour (Natural Resources Agency)
Ninette Lee (State Lands Commission)
Stephen Benson (Department of Finance)

Sacramento County Board of Supervisors

Phil Serna, District 1
Patrick Hume, Vice Chairman, District 5
Rich Desmond, District 3

City of Sacramento

Roger Dickinson, City Council, District 2
Phil Pluckebaum, City Council, District 4

City of Rancho Cordova

Joe Little, City Council, District 3

Public Members

Cassie Gilson (Governor appointee)
Stephen Green (Senate appointee)
Corey Brown, Chairman (Assembly appointee)

Meeting Minutes and Recordings

Funding Summary

From 2018 to 2024, the Program has invested approximately $9.47 million towards 15 distinct projects. For additional information, refer to the List of Awarded Grants (PDF).

Graph summarizing program investments by project type — Figure 1. Amount invested in each Program goal (habitat, public access, education/interpretation, and water quality) and project type (implementation, planning, and acquisition). The amount allocated to each goal is based on the project's primary goal. Some projects may have a secondary goal (e.g., to improve water quality) but that is not reflected here.

2025 Parkway Priorities Survey

We want to hear from you!

Take our Prop 4 Survey to let us know where we should focus our Prop 4 – Climate Bond funds to improve the condition and enjoyment of the American River Parkway. We are accepting responses to the survey through May 2nd.

Announcements

Lower American River Conservancy Program Survey: Prop 4 Climate Bond & Parkway Priorities
April 16, 2025
April 11, 2025 Advisory Committee Meeting Announcement
February 2, 2025
Grant Opportunities & Revisions to General Grant Guidelines
September 4, 2024
October 4, 2024 Advisory Committee Meeting
September 24, 2024
October 4, 2024 Advisory Committee Meeting Announcement
July 31, 2024

Contact

Cara Allen
Cara.Allen@wildlife.ca.gov
(916) 926-9584

How to Apply

The Program accepts proposal applications on a continuous basis. Information about applying for grants can be found on the WCB Grant Opportunities page.

Special Considerations:

All Full Applications must be reviewed and recommended for funding by the Program's Committee before staff can bring the proposal to the voting members of WCB for final funding consideration. Since the Committee only meets twice per year, typically in April and October, the timing for submitting a Pre- or Full Application must be carefully considered when applying for grant funds. The board of WCB meets every quarter typically in February, May, August, and November. If invited to submit a Full Application, it must be received in January to be presented at the April Committee meeting or received by July to be presented at the October Committee meeting. After the Committee recommends a proposal for funding, the proposal can be presented at the next quarterly WCB meeting.