Sea Otter Recovery Fund Grants

The California State Coastal Conservancy is offering grants to support projects that aid the recovery of the southern sea otter along California's coast. These grants, funded by the California Sea Otter Fund, prioritize research and initiatives that evaluate sea otter reintroduction strategies and address critical recovery actions outlined in the Federal Sea Otter Recovery Plan, promoting the health of the nearshore ecosystem.

State Coastal Conservancy’s Sea Otter Recovery Program
The California State Coastal Conservancy announces the availability of grants to public agencies, tribes and nonprofit organizations for projects that facilitate the recovery of the southern sea otter along California's coasts.
The California Sea Otter Fund is one of the state's tax check-off funds that allows taxpayers to voluntarily contribute to the recovery of California's sea otter population. The Conservancy receives approximately 50% of the revenues for "competitive grants and contracts to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for research, science, protection, projects, or programs related to the Federal Sea Otter Recovery Plan or improving the nearshore ocean ecosystem."
Conservancy grants funded by the California Sea Otter Fund can be used for a variety of activities related to southern sea otter recovery and improving the nearshore ecosystem.
Conservancy priority for the funding is for projects that advance the evaluation of sea otter reintroduction as a potential recovery strategy for southern sea otters in California. This may include activities such as conducting biological and socioeconomic studies, stakeholder engagement, risk and impact analyses, baseline assessments, and other research and planning.
Other projects that plan, implement, or conducted research related to other critical recovery actions of the Federal Southern Sea Otter Recovery Plan will be considered as a second priority.