Who: The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)

What: CDFW’s Restoration Grant Program is holding two in-person workshops in central and Southern California to provide information on various grant funding opportunities and the application process. Staff will present information on permitting tools available through the Cutting the Green Tape Program and the recently formed Cannabis Restoration Grant Program (CRGP).

When and Where: On May 11, an in-person/virtual workshop will be held in Ventura at the County of Ventura, 800 S. Victoria Ave, Lower Plaza Assembly Room from 2:30 to 5 p.m. For the virtual option, click on the link above.

On May 12, an in-person workshop will be held in San Luis Obispo at the California Conservation Corps, 1530 Madera Ave., Dining Hall Room from 10 a.m. to noon.

Why: In 2022, CDFW’s Restoration Grant Program announced the availability of $200 million in new funding opportunities,including $100 million in emergency drought funding for protecting salmon against drought and climate change. Funding under the Addressing Climate Impacts and Nature-Based Solutions initiatives provides support for projects addressing water and habitat impacted by climate change, as well as restoring wetlands and mountain meadows, and creating wildlife corridors. This funding also supports key initiatives including conserving 30 percent of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030, while increasing the pace and scale of projects through the Cutting Green Tape Initiative. More information about these funding opportunities can be found at www.wildlife.ca.gov/grants.

CRGP is committed to promoting ecosystem restoration and ecological health in collaboration with a diversity of stakeholders. In 2023, CRGP announced $20 million in funding opportunities for Tribes, public agencies and non-profit organizations interested in restoring ecosystem function, improving habitat connectivity and assisting cultivators to become fully licensed. CRGP funded projects include enhancing fish and wildlife habitat for listed and sensitive species, restoring ecological resilience, improving water conservation and irrigation efficiency, sustainable agriculture practices and road improvement projects that reduce sedimentation. You can learn more about recent funding opportunities through CRGP’s latest announcement.