Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program Public Lands Funding Grant

The Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program (NBHIP) supports the restoration and maintenance of habitats for nesting waterfowl and game birds on public lands. Established in 2018, it is funded through hunting validation fees, generating approximately $2 million annually. For FY 2025-26, up to $850,000 is allocated for habitat projects, divided into maintenance of existing perennial grass ($150,000) and restoration/enhancement of habitats ($700,000), promoting biodiversity and ecological health.

Program Establishment
The Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program (NBHIP) was established in 2018 by the passing of Assembly Bill (AB) 2697 and was designed to address declines in locally breeding waterfowl and ring-necked pheasant populations. Although the NBHIP was established in Code (Section 3480, Fish and Game Code) in 2018, the program was not funded until the passing of AB 614 in October 2021, which created a $10 surcharge for the upland game bird and state duck hunting validations. The implementation of these fees generates roughly $2 million annually, which is deposited into a dedicated Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program Account.
Public Land Program Objectives
The Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program’s (NBHIP) Public Land Program is designed to provide assistance to state Wildlife Areas and National Wildlife Refuges to improve the quantity and quality of upland habitat for the benefit of nesting waterfowl, game birds and pollinators. The public land programs complement a suite of private land incentive programs that work with farmers, ranchers and wetland owners throughout the state to improve nesting habitat on their lands. The private land programs include incentives for Delayed Cereal Grain Harvest, Fallow Agriculture, Agricultural Corridors and Upland Management Agreements.
Funding Information
The NBHIP has up to $850,000 that may be allocated for projects on public lands (WA or NWR) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27, dependent upon the approved Governor’s budget. These funds will be broken down into two separate categories:

• Maintenance of existing perennial grass habitat ($150,000); andRestoration or enhancement of perennial grass habitats ($700,000).