Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Grant Program

The Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Grant Program, established by AB109, aims to support conservation projects that enhance resilience against climate impacts in California. With an initial funding of $20 million from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, this program focuses on protecting ecosystems, assisting land managers, and increasing carbon sequestration, while aligning with statewide climate strategies and priorities. It seeks to promote environmental benefits and enhance the sustainability of natural and working lands.

The Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program was created by AB109, which amended the Budget Act of 2017 to provide local assistance through the Wildlife Conservation Board for conservation projects focusing on resilience to projected climate impacts. The initial $20 million in funding through this program was payable from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF).
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 carbon sequestration goals of AB 32, and support WCB’s Strategic Plan. In addition, projects will be consistent with other statewide plans and priorities, including the California Water Action Plan and California State Wildlife Action Plan 2015 Update.
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.
• Increase carbon sequestration in natural and working lands, and provide additional social, economic, and environmental benefits, or "co-benefits".