Endangered Species Conservation and Recovery Grant Program

The Endangered Species Conservation and Recovery Grant Program, administered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, aims to support state initiatives for the conservation and recovery of federally threatened and endangered species. Funded through federal sources, this program encourages collaborative project development with CDFW staff and partner organizations. Eligible applicants must provide at least 25% in matching funds, ensuring a commitment to the protection of vulnerable inland and marine species under the Endangered Species Act.

Purpose
The Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) distributes federal funds through the Endangered Species Conservation and Recovery Grant Program in coordination with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The objective of this Program is to help develop and implement state programs to conserve and recover federally threatened and endangered species. Applications must be developed in coordination with, and submitted by, a Department employee.
Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife receives grant funds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (Traditional Section 6) to support conservation actions designed to further the recovery of species listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. CDFW staff, alone, or in collaboration with partner organizations, develop research and management projects to compete for this funding through the state's Endangered Species Conservation and Recovery Program. Authority for CDFW to administer the Section 6 grant program is found in section 1501.5 of the Fish and Game Code. The primary objective of endangered species conservation and recovery grants is to support the development and implementation of state programs to conserve and recover federally threatened and endangered inland fish and wildlife species. Grant funds to support the conservation of certain marine species and anadromous fish species are administered through separate programs. Project proposals must be developed in close coordination with CDFW and USFWS biologists and identify a CDFW employee who will sponsor the project by administering the grant. Eligible projects are those which target recovery actions for species listed as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.  Applicants must provide a minimum of 25% of the total project cost in non-federal matching funds or in-kind services.