NRCS Watershed Protection Grants in California
Local government agencies, tribal organizations, and other eligible sponsors in California can obtain funding to address watershed damage from floods, fires, windstorms, and other natural disasters. Grants from USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service of California support debris removal, streambank stabilization, drainage repairs, vegetative cover, levee and structure repairs, and related land and habitat conservation work.
USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service of California
CAL FIRE Support for California Forestlands
California landowners managing 20 to 5,000 acres of forestland can access funding through CAL FIRE to improve forest health, habitat, and soil and water quality. The California Forest Improvement Program offers cost-share assistance up to US $50,000 for management planning, reforestation, stand improvement, and forestland conservation practices that benefit long-term land conservation.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Restoration Grants in California
Nonprofit and public entities working on land and habitat conservation in California can seek funding to plan, clean up, remediate, and enhance watersheds and wildlife habitat impacted by cannabis cultivation. California Department of Fish and Wildlife supports projects such as illicit site cleanup, road decommissioning, culvert upgrades, erosion control, water conservation, and biodiversity enhancement.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
California Wildlife Conservation Board Resiliency Grants in California
California land and habitat conservation organizations in California can seek funding to implement climate adaptation and resiliency projects on natural and working lands. The Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Grant Program from California Wildlife Conservation Board supports ecosystem protection and restoration, climate-smart land management, and increased carbon sequestration consistent with statewide climate and conservation plans.
California Wildlife Conservation Board
US $200,000 - US $5,000,000
California Land Conservation Funding via Coastal Conservancy
Public agencies, federally recognized tribes, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in California can seek US $200,000 - US $5,000,000 for coastal land and habitat conservation, public access, and climate resilience projects. With a mission to protect and restore the coast, State of California Coastal Conservancy provides multi-stage funding from feasibility through construction and monitoring, prioritizing multi-benefit and disadvantaged community projects.
State of California Coastal Conservancy
California Wildlife Conservation Board Support for Land Conservation
California land and habitat conservation organizations can access funding through the California Wildlife Conservation Board for acquisition, restoration, and management projects in the Mojave and Colorado Deserts. Eligible projects include land acquisition, habitat restoration, invasive plant control, seed collection, and scientific studies that promote biodiversity, climate resilience, and improved public access on conserved lands.
California Wildlife Conservation Board
Forest Conservation Funding from Wildlife Conservation Board
Organizations planning land and habitat conservation, forestry, or watershed restoration projects in California can apply for the Forest Conservation Program, which supports planning, acquisition, and restoration in the state’s forests. Administered by the California Wildlife Conservation Board, this funding may benefit land conservation efforts such as meadow restoration, forest thinning, post-fire work, and riparian habitat projects.
California Wildlife Conservation Board
Habitat Restoration Grants for California Organizations via Wildlife Conservation Board
Nonprofit organizations, public agencies, resource conservation districts, and private landowners in California can receive funding to restore and enhance wildlife habitat, corridors, and fisheries. Grants from California Wildlife Conservation Board help California land and habitat conservation efforts that secure a Department of Fish and Wildlife recommendation and commit to long-term project maintenance.
California Wildlife Conservation Board
Hind Foundation Land Conservation Grants in California
Grants from Hind Foundation help California land and habitat conservation projects that provide lasting community benefits and fit the foundation’s funding areas. Eligible applicants are locally supported California 501(c)(3) nonprofits with projects based in-state and substantial matching funds secured, including work in ecosystem conservation, land conservation, and plant and wildlife protection.
Hind Foundation
Hind Foundation Support for California Land Conservation
California 501(c)(3) nonprofits with community-backed projects for land or habitat conservation can apply for Hind Foundation’s Supplemental Grant, offering up to US $2,500. Grants help fund scholarships, educational materials, performances, and similar efforts that advance ecosystem, land, and wildlife conservation while providing lasting community benefits.
Hind Foundation
California Wildlife Conservation Board Habitat Grants in California
California land and habitat conservation organizations and public agencies can access funding to acquire real property or conservation easements in California through the California Wildlife Conservation Board. Grants support willing-seller transactions at fair market value, following biological evaluation and approval by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of General Services.
California Wildlife Conservation Board
Climate Resilience Funding for California Conservation from RMC
California public agencies, tribes, and conservation-focused partners seeking to advance climate resilience and land and habitat conservation in Los Angeles and Orange Counties can apply for this Climate Resilience Grant Program. Focused on multi-benefit, nature-based projects, it supports wildfire prevention, community access to natural areas, and protection of California’s natural and working lands from the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy.
California San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy
California Land Conservation Funding via Wildlife Board
Public agencies, nonprofit organizations, eligible tribes, public utilities, and mutual water companies in California can seek funding for projects that enhance stream flows to benefit fish, wildlife, and habitat. With a mission to improve water resources and species resilience, the California Wildlife Conservation Board supports water transactions, conservation projects, habitat restoration, and related scientific studies.
California Wildlife Conservation Board
California Land Conservation Funding via California Tahoe Conservancy
Nonprofit and public entities working on watershed improvement, forest health, restoration, or workforce development in California can seek funding for land acquisition, planning, implementation, and monitoring projects. California Tahoe Conservancy’s Proposition 4 Grant Program offers US $50,000 - US $450,000 for projects on the California side of the Lake Tahoe Basin that enhance natural resources and public access.
California Tahoe Conservancy
US $50,000 - US $2,000,000
Rivers and Mountains Conservancy Resilience Grants in California
California land and habitat conservation organizations can seek funding for watershed improvement, wildfire resilience, chaparral and forest restoration, and related workforce development projects. Focused on land and habitat conservation, the California San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy invites applicants to request US $50,000 - US $2,000,000 for eligible work in its jurisdiction.
California San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy
Approximately US $4,000,000
California Land Conservation Funding via California Tahoe Conservancy
California land and habitat conservation organizations working in the Lake Tahoe Basin can seek funding for land stewardship, wildfire protection, forest and watershed restoration, and public access projects. California Tahoe Conservancy provides approximately US $4,000,000 through its Proposition 68 Grant Program to support open space acquisition, urban greenways, outdoor recreation, and climate-resilient communities.
California Tahoe Conservancy
California Wildlife Conservation Board Access Grants
Nonprofits, government agencies, and California Native American tribes in California can seek funding for projects that expand public access to wildlife areas and natural lands. With a mission to enhance outdoor recreation and equitable access, California Wildlife Conservation Board provides support for planning, implementation, acquisition, scientific studies, block grants, and technical assistance that improve wildlife-oriented recreation and hunting and fishing access.
California Wildlife Conservation Board
Wetlands Restoration Funding from California Department
Organizations restoring or enhancing wetlands, mountain meadows, or watershed ecosystems in California can apply for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Restoration Grant Programs. Funding supports nature-based solutions that improve habitat, biodiversity, climate resilience, water-related projects, working landscapes, and public access, including non-lethal beaver coexistence projects that may benefit land and habitat conservation efforts.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Grants for California Land Conservation
California land and habitat conservation organizations can seek funding for wetlands, mountain meadows, and watershed ecosystem restoration projects that enhance biodiversity and climate resilience in California. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife supports nature-based solutions, including beaver restoration and non-lethal conflict mitigation, that protect wildlife habitats, working landscapes, water-related projects, and public access.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
California Land Conservation Funding via Wildlife Conservation Board
California agricultural landowners and partners can seek funding to restore wildlife habitat and enhance ecosystems on privately owned working lands. Focused on land and habitat conservation, the California Wildlife Conservation Board invites projects that create durable on-site habitat, improve connectivity, and may include wetlands, riparian restoration, native grasslands, or wildlife-friendly buffers and water features.
California Wildlife Conservation Board
T.S. & K.D. Glide Land Conservation Grants in California
Pre proposal due Aug 1, 2026
California 501(c)(3) organizations seeking capital funding for land or habitat conservation projects can apply for the T.S. & K.D. Glide Foundation’s grants, with awards up to US $50,000. Eligible nonprofits working on preserving land in its natural state, wildlife conservancy, or related agricultural and civic efforts may benefit.
T.S. & K.D. Glide Foundation
Walt Disney Company Foundation Grants for California Land Conservation
Full proposal due Aug 2, 2026
California land and habitat conservation organizations can access funding through Walt Disney Company Foundation’s Disney Conservation Fund Corridors & Pathways program to protect, connect, and restore wildlife corridors and migratory pathways. Eligible projects may address terrestrial or aquatic habitats, with awards up to US $150,000 over two years for community-based conservation efforts.
The Walt Disney Company Foundation
California Land Conservation Funding via Weeden Foundation
Letter of inquiry due Aug 7, 2026
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations focused on land and habitat conservation in California can apply for US $10,000 - US $30,000 to protect biodiversity and critical ecosystems. Weeden Foundation supports efforts such as wildlife corridors, endangered species habitat, and related environmental advocacy that may benefit California land conservation projects.
Weeden Foundation
Outdoor Recreation Funding from California Parks
Applications due Aug 31, 2026
Public agencies in California seeking to acquire or develop land for new outdoor recreation opportunities can apply for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, offering up to US $6,000,000 per local agency. With a mission to enhance land and habitat conservation, California Department of Parks and Recreation supports projects that improve parks and public spaces across eligible counties.
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Agricultural Land Conservation Funding from California Department of Conservation
Pre proposal due Dec 2, 2026
Organizations working to conserve agricultural lands in California can apply for the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program, which funds conservation acquisitions, acquisition capacity, and planning to prevent conversion to nonagricultural uses. Administered by the California Department of Conservation, this program supports land and habitat conservation while advancing climate and community benefits.
California Department of Conservation
US $200,000 - US $5,000,000
Urban Greening Funding for California Communities via California Natural Resources Agency
Pre proposal due Jun 5, 2027
California public entities and eligible partners planning nature-based urban greening projects to reduce extreme heat can apply for California Natural Resources Agency’s Urban Greening Grant Program, with awards of US $200,000 - US $5,000,000. Projects that cool and green communities while enhancing habitat, green infrastructure, and public spaces may benefit land conservation efforts.
California Natural Resources Agency
Land Conservation Grants for Nonprofits from Schwemm Family Foundation
Applications due Jun 30, 2027
501(c)(3) nonprofits in California can apply for Schwemm Family Foundation grants up to US $8,000 to support land conservation, ecosystem restoration, and related community projects. Eligible efforts include enhancing natural environments, preserving local history and culture, or promoting healthy, equitable communities through parks, green spaces, trails, gardens, or urban farms.
Schwemm Family Foundation