Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program Public Lands Funding 2026-27

Department of Fish and Wildlife · State of California

At a glance

Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program Public Lands Funding 2026-27 is a closed California state grant opportunity from the Department of Fish and Wildlife (State of California). The application deadline was March 13, 2026. Total estimated funding is $850K. Applicant types listed as eligible include business, individual, nonprofit, other legal entity, public agency and 1 more. It is listed on the California Grants Portal. Cost sharing is not required.

Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.

Estimate · calculated by GrantsJunction

Expected to open around March 2027

This program has posted at about the same time each year. If it follows its pattern, the next round should post between Feb 4, 2027 and Apr 15, 2027, with about 38 days to apply.

Based on 2 past postings: Apr 14, 2025, Feb 4, 2026. Confidence: low. Agencies can change or skip a year; only the agency's posted notice is official. Watch it and we'll email you when the next round posts.

Key facts

Feb 4, 2026Posted
Mar 13, 2026Application deadline

Opened: Feb 4, 2026
Close date: Mar 13, 2026
Award floor: Not specified
Award ceiling: Not specified
Est. total funding: $850,000
Expected awards: Not specified
Matching funds: Not required
Funding instrument: Grant

Program details (as published on the California Grants Portal)

Type: Grant
Funding source: State — The Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program was established with Assembly Bill (AB) 2697 and was designed to address declines in locally breeding waterfowl and ring-necked pheasant populations. Although the NBHIP was established in Code (Section 3480, Fish and Game Code) in 2018, the program was not funded until the passing of AB 614 in October 2021, which created a $10 surcharge for the upland game bird and state duck hunting validations.
Matching funds: Not Required — While match is not required, projects that provide match funding will be awarded additional points in ranking and scoring.
Funding method: Reimbursement(s) — Funding will be provided through grants or contracts for work to be performed.
Estimated number of awards: Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
Estimated award amounts: Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
Award period: Three years
Expected award announcement: April 10 2026
Letter of intent: Not required
Geography: Central Valley of California
How to submit: By email: luke.matthews@wildlife.ca.gov

Who can apply

Applicant categories as listed on the California Grants Portal. GrantsJunction maps them to detailed applicant types for search and matching.

Business
Individual
Nonprofit
Other Legal Entity
Public Agency
Tribal Government

Additional information on eligibility (from the listing)

Funding can only be used on public lands that are managed for wildlife (e.g. State Wildlife Areas or National Wildlife Refuges). The restoration or enhancement locations must also be able to provide summer water (from April 1 - August 1) within a half mile.

Can your organization apply?

A quick check against the listed applicant types — other requirements in the notice still apply.

Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.

What it funds

Purpose and description as published on the California Grants Portal.

Purpose

The Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program’s (NBHIP) Public Land Program is designed to provide assistance to state Wildlife Areas and National Wildlife Refuges to improve the quantity and quality of upland habitat for the benefit of nesting waterfowl, game birds and pollinators.

Description

Public land projects funded through NBHIP may include the cultivation or retention of upland cover such as annual nesting cover or perennial native grasses and forbs, or management activities to improve the quality of perennial grass habitats such as managing noxious weeds and other undesirable plants. Any project that is funded by NBHIP will be required to leave the upland cover habitat unmanipulated (e.g., no discing, spraying herbicides, mowing, chopping, or rolling of vegetation) during the nesting season (April 1 – July 15). Furthermore, to be selected all projects must provide and maintain summer water habitats within one mile of the enhancement areas. To accomplish the objectives of this program, the Department is authorized to enter into grants or contracts with public and private entities, including nonprofit organizations, and California Native American tribes to help the department implement the program and improve breeding waterfowl and other upland game bird habitats in California (Fish and Game Code § 3480 “…the department may carry out the game bird breeding habitat purposes of the Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program on State Wildlife Areas and National Wildlife Refuges when necessary and as the department deems appropriate…”) The organizations must have the specific capacity (waterfowl habitat enhancement, native grass restoration, upland habitat creation or agricultural and farming experience to deliver the objectives). Examples of eligible projects are limited to the following categories: 1. Maintenance of existing perennial grass habitat for breeding waterfowl 2. Restoration and enhancement of existing perennial grass habitat for breeding waterfowl 3. Establishment of new perennial native grass and forb habitat for breeding waterfowl

Program page on the agency site ↗

Past applications & awards

Historical data · not a prediction

Reported by the agency for this listing

Fiscal year 2025–2613 applications · 8 awards

Counts as published on the California Grants Portal. Award counts can read zero until decisions are announced.

Program contact (as published)

Luke Matthews
luke.matthews@wildlife.ca.gov
1-916-539-3654

Quick answers

Who is eligible to apply for “Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program Public Lands Funding 2026-27”?

The official listing names these applicant types as eligible: Business, Individual, Nonprofit, Other Legal Entity, Public Agency and Tribal Government. It adds: “Funding can only be used on public lands that are managed for wildlife (e.g. State Wildlife Areas or National Wildlife Refuges). The restoration or enhancement locations must also be able to provide summer water (from April 1 - August 1) within a half mile.” Additional restrictions may apply; review the full guidelines.

How much funding is available through “Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program Public Lands Funding 2026-27”?

Per the notice, total estimated program funding is $850,000.

How do I apply for “Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program Public Lands Funding 2026-27”?

Applications go directly to Department of Fish and Wildlife, not through GrantsJunction. Submission: by email to luke.matthews@wildlife.ca.gov. Read the program guidelines on the agency's site first; state programs set their own forms and registration requirements.

Other open California state opportunities, matched on agency, categories and wording.

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