Roots Program

Roots Program Overview

Organization: Point Blue Conservation Science

Geographic Scope: California working landscapes

Program Contact: Emily Mecke, Roots Program Coordinator
Email: rootsprogram@pointblue.org

Program Description

The Roots Program is implementing and funding a variety of practices to benefit wildlife, fish, and pollinators. Through a community-centered model, these practices have been developed in collaboration with applicants on a variety of working landscapes across California.

Eligible Practices

The program funds implementation of the following practices:

• Riparian & Habitat Restoration:
- Native plant hedgerow and pollinator plantings - Monarch butterfly plantings - Riparian/creek restoration, including plantings, invasive species removal, and exclusion fencing - Oak woodland restoration, including plantings, vegetation thinning, and invasive species removal - Native grassland restoration

• Wildlife Structures & Features:
- Bird nest boxes - Raptor perches - Bat roosting boxes - Bee boxes - Wildlife brush piles - Other wildlife structures

• In-stream & Water Management:
- Beaver Dam Analogs (BDAs) or other in-stream woody structures - Off-stream livestock water and wildlife water sources

• Fencing:
- Hazardous fence removal - Installing wildlife-friendly fencing

Focus Areas

• Wildlife habitat improvement
• Fish habitat restoration
• Pollinator support
• Climate-smart conservation practices

Community Engagement

The program emphasizes a community-centered, collaborative approach with applicants and landowners on working landscapes.