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Public Access is sponsored by Wildlife Conservation Board. Wildlife Conservation Board’s Public Access Program’s projects should focus on creating meaningful outdoor experiences for all Californians. Projects should provide public benefits, leverage funding to produce the greatest benefit, and provide access to natural and wild areas.
Access to nature is critical to human health and wellbeing, yet outdoor access and its many benefits are not equitably distributed or equally welcoming to all communities. WCB supports California’s Outdoors for All Initiative by funding Planning and Construction projects that support wildlife-oriented recreation and nature-focused education throughout the state.
Planning grants are intended to support the development of projects that are likely to qualify for future implementation funding under this program. Implementation grants are intended for construction or enhancement of public access facilities.
WCB is committed to providing support for the full range of outdoor activities that are compatible with our habitat protection mandate: Hunting and fishing Non-consumptive recreation including but not limited to birdwatching, hiking, cycling, and environmental education
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Access to nature contributes to our sense of community, connection to wild places, and desire to be stewards of the land. Conservation starts with individuals, families, and communities finding value in natural and wild lands. The Public Access Program is one of the original Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) programs established in 1947.
Initially the Public Access Program worked with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to support projects focused on the protection and development of public access areas and the promotion of hunting and fishing opportunities. Over time, the WCB's authority expanded to new partners, and today the Public Access Program provides planning and implementation funds to support wildlife-oriented recreation opportunities.
Fundable activities and infrastructure include but are not limited to: multi-lingual interpretive signs, trails, ADA parking and restrooms, community outreach, and development of interpretive programs. Gray Lodge Wildlife Area Fishing Pier Millions of birds flock to CDFW’s Gray Lodge Wildlife Area which provides outstanding wildlife viewing, outdoor education, nature trails, fishing, and hunting opportunities.
More than 300 species live or pass through the nearly 9,100 acres of grassy fields, wooded riparian areas, and ponds. Gray Lodge is a year-round destination, seeing nearly 86,000 visitors also enjoy Gray Lodge Wildlife Area annually. Anglers enjoy ponds and canals that support bass, sunfish, perch, catfish, and carp.
Nature programs and trail walks are available to school groups. Viewing platforms, trails, and a three-mile auto tour are available for wildlife viewing. The Gray Lodge Fishing Pier project provides additional accessible opportunities to visitors.
This project constructed a 580-square-foot long fishing platform accessible to those with mobility impairments. The fishing pier faces north and has views of seasonal wetlands and the nature trail. San Vicente Redwoods Public Access Trails San Vicente Redwoods lies in the heart of the Santa Cruz mountains and is part of a conservation easement acquired by Save the Redwoods League with funding from WCB.
3. 5 million people live in highly urbanized areas within a 40-mile radius of the San Vicente Redwoods trailhead. This trail project, implemented by the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, provides needed public access to nature while protecting ecosystems and working lands.
Interpretive panels and visitor engagement by Land Trust staff and volunteers will explain the importance of wildlife habitats, and what role visitors themselves can play in their protection. The area was affected by the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex fires, which posed an obstacle for the project's completion, but now allows visitors to view nature in recovery.
The project was completed in 2023 and includes: Eight miles of new trails, including a 1-mile ADA accessible trail Interpretive and wayfinding signage, including tribal cultural information Parking area with ADA parking stall Rock Creek Ranch is an off-the-grid retreat located on the banks of the scenic Smith River in the Six Rivers National Forest.
Owned and operated by the Smith River Alliance, the property hosts camps, conservation programs, and community gatherings in a rustic and wild setting. The surrounding landscape provides opportunities for fishing, rafting, kayaking, swimming, and hiking.
Rock Creek Ranch also serves school groups and youth camps from surrounding low-income communities by offering free or reduced-cost outdoor education programming and camping experiences. However, the existing facilities are not easily accessible for visitors with disabilities, and there is no permanent restroom facility.
In 2023, WCB awarded a grant to construct visitor improvements at the Ranch, including: An ADA-accessible restroom and associated ADA parking spots A well and additional water storage to provide potable water and additional fire safety Interpretive panels providing information about the cultural and indigenous history of the area, as well as visitor safety signage Project completion is anticipated in 2025.
The new infrastructure will support visitor comfort and safety, allowing Smith River Alliance to welcome a wider diversity of visitors while maintaining the natural and rustic quality of this remote destination. Alyssa. Benedetti@wildlife.
ca. gov The WCB is now using a streamlined application process across all WCB programs. Information about applying for grants can be found on the WCB Grant Opportunities page.
Public Access Program Priorities Wildlife-oriented Recreation The Public Access Program prioritizes projects providing public access for non-consumptive wildlife-related recreational activities. Projects should promote wildlife experiences and opportunities. Hunting and Fishing Access The Public Access Program prioritizes projects providing hunting and fishing access.
Projects should enhance, improve, or construct facilities that provide hunting and fishing opportunities. The Public Access Program prioritizes projects that further the goals of the California Natural Resource Agency's Outdoors for All Initiative by providing equitable access to parks and nature. Projects should enhance access for underserved communities and include meaningful collaboration with California Native American tribes.
WCB General Guidelines (PDF) Grant funding for Boating Access projects is now being coordinated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Please visit https://wildlife. ca.
gov/Grants/Boating-Access or contact Basil. Ibewiro@wildlife. ca.
gov for more information.
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Nonprofit; Public Agency; Tribal Government. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
Public Access is funded by Wildlife Conservation Board. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
Lower American River Conservancy Program is sponsored by Wildlife Conservation Board. The Program was created to provide a state partner to work cooperatively with local agencies, particularly the County of Sacramento in its role as the manager of the American River Parkway (Parkway) and nonprofit organizations to help fund projects and provide grants to restore, enhance, interpret, protect, and improve public access to the Parkway’s natural, recreational, educational, and cultural resources. The acquisition, restoration, enhancement, and maintenance of fish and wildlife habitat and other natural resources, including resources impacted by wildfire, within and adjacent to the American River Parkway. The improvement and expansion of public access, recreational areas, and recreational facilities, including trails. The enhancement of interpretive and educational facilities related to the American River Parkway and its natural, cultural, and historic resources. The control and removal of invasive species and the propagation of native species. Improve and enhance lands within and adjacent to the American River Parkway. Projects funded on adjacent lands shall contribute to the advancement of American River Parkway values. Design, implement, and provide grants for stormwater capture and treatment projects to improve the quality of water that flows within and into the American River Parkway and to increase habitat for fish and wildlife. Stormwater projects may include lands within and adjacent to the American River Parkway and its tributaries downstream of the Nimbus Dam and within Sacramento County. All projects must be recommended by the Lower American River Conservancy Program Advisory Committee before proceeding to the Wildlife Conservation Board meeting for approval.
Land Acquisition 2025 is sponsored by Wildlife Conservation Board. The WCB acquires real property or rights in real property on behalf of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and can also grant funds to other governmental entities or nonprofit organizations to acquire real property or rights in real property. All acquisitions are made on a "willing seller" basis pursuant to a fair market value appraisal as approved by the Department of General Services (DGS). The acquisition activities are carried out in conjunction with the CDFW, which generally entails CDFW evaluating the biological values of property through development of a Full WCB Real Property Acquisition Application. Once these evaluations are completed, they are submitted to CDFW’s Director for review and approval and then sent to the WCB with a recommendation to fund. Typically this process can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months. Concurrent to this the WCB regularly meets with CDFW to help evaluate and set acquisition priorities as new opportunities present themselves.
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act funds wetland and migratory-bird habitat through two tracks — U.S. Small Grants (up to $250,000, closing June 25, 2026) and the larger U.S. Standard Grants. Both require a 1:1 non-federal match, and that match is where most applications are won or lost. Here is how the program works, who is eligible, and why land trusts and Tribes should care.
Read articleThe EPA Gulf of America Division announced up to $50 million on May 5 for 20-30 Farmer-to-Farmer demonstration grants of $1.5M-$2.5M each across EPA Regions 3-8. Applications close June 19, 2026. The geographic scope spans from Pennsylvania to Texas — eighteen states drained by the Mississippi-Atchafalaya system — and the funding model rebuilds the federal conservation playbook around farmer-led demonstrations rather than top-down agency design.
Read articleEPA's Gulf of America Division announced up to $50 million for the Farmer-to-Farmer grant program on May 5, 2026, with 20–30 awards of $1.5M to $2.5M each across EPA Regions 3–8 and a June 19, 2026 deadline. The funding rewards farmer-led organizations that can demonstrate working-lands conservation at scale. Here is how the eligibility, partnership structure, and watershed geography actually decide the awards.
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