Inland Wetlands Conservation Program Grant

The Inland Wetlands Conservation Program, spearheaded by the California Wildlife Conservation Board, aims to protect and restore vital wetland habitats in the Central Valley. This program collaborates with various organizations to enhance populations of waterfowl, shorebirds, and at-risk bird species. Eligible activities include land acquisition for wildlife-friendly agriculture, conservation easements, and habitat restoration. By focusing on sustainable practices, the program supports biodiversity and ecological resilience throughout the region.

Overview
The Inland Wetlands Conservation Program (IWCP) was created to assist the Central Valley Joint Venture (CVJV) in its mission to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands and associated habitats. The CVJV, a partnership of twenty two public and private organizations and agencies, has identified through its Implementation Plan, specific goals to increase populations of the following bird groups:

• Breeding and Non-breeding WaterfowlBreeding and Non-breeding Shorebirds
• Breeding and Non-breeding Waterbirds
• Breeding Riparian Landbirds
• Breeding Grassland-Oak Savannah Landbirds
• At-Risk Bird Species

The IWCP jurisdiction matches that of the CVJV and includes most of the watershed of the Central Valley. The Implementation Plan (Plan) and the IWCP, however, continue to focus on the Central Valley floor, which extends approximately 400 miles from Red Bluff in the north to Bakersfield in the south and encompasses the following five planning regions, which together comprise the Plan's Primary Focus Area: Sacramento, Yolo-Delta, Suisun, San Joaquin and Tulare.
Eligible activities under this program include:
Acquisition of land or water for wetlands or wildlife friendly agricultureAcquisition of conservation easementsRestoration of public or private landsEnhancement of existing degraded habitats

Eligibility

The WCB, through the IWCP, awards grants to:nonprofit organizationslocal governmental agencies andstate departments.Funding is available in the Central Valley of California, which extends approximately 400 miles from Red Bluff in the north to Bakersfield in the south and encompasses  the following five planning regions:Sacramento, Yolo-Delta, Suisun, San Joaquin and Tulare area