Roots Program

Roots Program Overview

Geographic Scope: California working landscapes

Program Contact: Emily Mecke, Roots Program Coordinator

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.