Wetlands and Watershed Restoration (California)

Wetlands and Watershed Restoration (California) is sponsored by California Climate Investments. Funds projects that increase soil organic carbon, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, protect and improve water quality, increase flood protection, improve groundwater recharge, and develop resiliency to sea level rise in wetlands.

Wetlands and Watershed Restoration — California Climate Investments Wetlands and Watershed Restoration Wetlands and Watershed Restoration California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Restoration or enhancement of coastal wetlands, Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta wetlands, mountain meadows, and seasonal inland wetlands including vernal pools.

Projects that preserve and increase soil organic carbon and provide important co-benefits such as enhanced fish and wildlife habitat, water quality protection and improvement, flood protection, groundwater recharge, and resiliency to sea level rise. Who is eligible for funds? Public agencies, nonprofits, and Tribal governments.

How does this program provide benefits to priority populations? Projects benefiting disadvantaged communities receive higher application scores. Benefits can include reducing flood risk and maintaining water quality for priority populations, as well as preserving sites that provide public access.

Apply through a statewide competitive application process. No additional funds are available. Read stories of projects funded by this program.

Van Norden Meadow Restoration Project California Department of Fish and Wildlife With $3. 9 million in support from the Wetlands and Watershed Restoration Program, the South Yuba River Citizens League together with the Washoe Tribe and project partners are restoring 485 acres of the high-elevation meadow habitat in Placer and Nevada Counties.

Project partners include the Tahoe National Forest/U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Wildlife Conservation Board, Truckee Donner Land Trust, UC Davis Center for the Watershed Sciences, Point Blue Conservation Science, University of Nevada Reno, and Nevada County.

The Ocean Ranch Restoration Project California Department of Fish and Wildlife The California State Coastal Conservancy is restoring wetlands at Ocean Ranch along the Eel River with support from a $2 million grant from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Wetlands Restoration Program. The Eel River was once one of the Pacific Coast’s greatest producers of salmon and steelhead.

Over the years, extensive human activities have reduced the Eel River Delta. As the estuary shrank, so did populations of salmon and other native species, and carbon sequestration rates. At the same time, non-native species proliferated.

Restoring Coastal Wetlands and Upland Habitat in Santa Barbara County The North Campus Open Space (NCOS) project is restoring 54 acres of diverse coastal wetlands and upland habitat of native plants and grassland in Santa Barbara County. This restoration will increase Santa Barbara County’s coastal wetlands by 11 percent, which in turn will help adapt the coastal community to sea level rise by protecting inland infrastructure.

Restoring the Central Coast's "Crown Jewel" Salt Marsh The Blue Carbon at Elkhorn Slough Project is restoring 66 acres of rare salt marsh habitat and native plants while buffering the surrounding areas against future sea level rise. The Tidal Wetland Program at the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve guided the project with input from more than 100 local partners, scientists, regulators, and community members.

Mountain Meadow Restoration Sequesters Carbon and Builds Resilience Meadows in the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges act as nature’s sponge and filter, accumulating high amounts of organic soils that help provide California with a year-round water supply. Acting like a mini-reservoir, the meadows store carbon as they capture and clean water.

Restoring Wetlands in the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta The San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta is the cradle which nurtures the drinking water supply of more than 23 million Californians and much of the state’s farm land. But measurements show land on Sherman Island has sunk as much as 28 feet below sea level as the State’s population and demand for water have grown.

That’s why California Climate Investments is providing more than $10 million to improve the situation. Supporting Ecosystem, Community, and Cultural Resilience at Clover Valley Ranch With help from a $680,974 grant from California Climate Investments through the Wetlands & Watershed Restoration Program, the Sierra Fund and project partners are carrying out multi‑benefit restoration efforts at the 2,655‑acre Clover Valley Ranch.

Initiated in 2017, this project will sequester nearly 188,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent while halting stream incision; increasing biodiversity; and improving hydrologic function, flood reduction, sediment filtration and water quality.

However, the goal of this project extends beyond of ecosystem function and carbon sequestration benefits; these activities will also support community and cultural resilience through the promotion of cultural skills and activities. $55. 2 million implemented $34.

9 million benefiting priority populations 1,032,665 MTCO2e estimated GHG emissions reductions benefiting priority populations MTCO2e estimated GHG emissions reductions MTCO2e GHG emissions reductions benefiting disadvantaged communities benefiting disadvantaged communities benefiting low-income communities benefiting other areas of California full-time equivalent jobs reported Learn more about how these benefits are estimated Follow California Climate Investments