Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Program Grant

The Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Program by the California Natural Resources Agency allocates $100 million for ancestral land return projects. This initiative aims to empower California Native American tribes by facilitating property rights acquisition and supporting multi-benefit nature-based solutions. With a focus on collaboration, the program seeks to enhance environmental stewardship, cultural restoration, and habitat connectivity while prioritizing projects that address landlessness and promote conservation efforts. The program reflects a commitment to respecting tribal sovereignty and ecological restoration.

The California Natural Resources Agency is proud to announce the establishment of the new $100 million Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Program. This Program was developed in response to the consultations and input received from California Native American tribes during the tribal consultations on Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-82-20 (Nature-Based Solutions Executive Order), the Pathways to 30x30 Strategy, and Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy. The California Natural Resources Agency is committed to working towards meaningful partnerships with California Native American tribes in the implementation of our nature-based solutions policies and programs. The Tribal Nature-Based Solutions program and grant funds are part of this commitment and will be available to assist California Native American tribes in advancing multi-benefit nature-based solutions priorities for their communities.
In January 2023, the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) approved the disbursement of $1 million to establish a Tribal Small Grants Program to provide dedicated funding to California Native American tribes and tribally led entities in support of work that advances tribes’ priorities for conservation, management, and stewardship, as well as the goals in OPC’s Strategic Plan and Tribal Engagement Strategy. The OPC Tribal Small Grants program will be part of the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions program to assist California Native American tribes in advancing multi-benefit nature-based solutions on the coast and ocean.
Climate Bond Funding Solicitation:
Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 93040 (Senate Bill 867) otherwise known as, the Climate Bond, Proposition 4, or the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 (Climate Bond) and Chapter 6, statutes of 2024, the California Legislature appropriated $10 million to the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) for funding California Native American tribes’ priorities for multi-benefit nature-based solutions projects located within the state of California. These funds are available for encumbrance or expenditure until June 30, 2028.
In response to input received from California Native American tribes during the tribal consultations on Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-82-20 (Nature-Based Solutions Executive Order), the Pathways to 30x30 Strategy, and Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy, the Newsom Administration proposed the funding and creation of the new Tribal Nature-Based Solutions program to support tribal nature-based solutions priorities. This program and associated program grant funds will assist California Native American tribes in advancing multi-benefit nature-based solutions consistent with the 2021 Nature-Based Solutions trailer bill, Chapter 258 of the Statutes of 2021, the Pathways to 30x30 Strategy, and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy.
Funding Allocation
Approximately $9.2 million is available for tribal multi-benefit nature-based solutions projects. The program anticipates having some funds available for escrow-ready multi-benefit ancestral land return projects. CNRA may utilize these funds to support direct expenditures, block grants, contracts, or competitive grants, and may be used for support or local assistance.