Delta Community, Environment, and Climate Grant Program

Purpose

The purpoose of the Delta Community, Environment and Climate Grant Program is to fund multibenefit projects in the Delta and Suisun Marsh. The Conservancy is soliciting proposals for three different priorities: Community Enhancement, Nature-Based Solutions, and Ecosystem Restoration.

Description

The purpose of the Delta Community, Environment and Climate Grant Program is to fund multibenefit projects in the Delta and Suisun Marsh. The Conservancy is soliciting proposals for three different priorities: Community Enhancement, Nature-Based Solutions, and Ecosystem Restoration. • Community Enhancement planning and implementation projects will benefit Delta communities through public access, recreation and tourism, historic and cultural preservation, environmental education, and community engagement. Funded projects will provide outdoor access for all, sustain the Delta’s heritage, and/or enhance the unique values of the Delta today. Example projects include, but are not limited to, water or hiking trails, sidewalks, bike routes, community parks or picnic sites, public boating infrastructure, visitor centers, kiosks, signage, renovation of historic buildings for public use, development of cultural relevant historic districts, educational materials for the public about environmental or environmental justice issues, and land acquisition to support community enhancement projects. • Nature Based Solutions projects will address ongoing subsidence and greenhouse gas emissions occurring on highly organic soils in the Delta and Suisun Marsh, which threaten the region’s communities, agriculture, ecosystem, and the State and Federal water projects. Example projects include, but are not limited to, planning and implementation of managed and tidal wetland restoration, crop conversion to paludiculture (e.g., rice, walking wetlands, other wet crops), technical assistance to access the Voluntary Carbon Market or support practice implementation, scientific research, education and outreach on related topics, and land acquisition or easement. • Ecosystem Restoration and Climate Adaptation projects protect the Delta and Suisun Marsh’s natural resources, environment, and biodiversity. Funded projects will restore, research, plan, or educate about landscape health and/or reduce the risks of climate change impacts upon natural resources, fish, and wildlife. Example projects include, but are not limited to, planning, education, habitat restoration and enhancement, wetland protection, watershed resilience, land acquisitions, and conservation easements. All projects funded through the Delta Community, Environment and Climate Program should aim to include multiple benefits as described below in Section IV Evaluation Criteria. Projects may span two or more of the funding priorities listed above. With rare exceptions, the Conservancy will cap funding amounts based on project type: • Planning, research, communication, and capacity building grants can be awarded between $100,000 to $750,000. • Implementation and acquisition grants can be awarded between $100,000 to $2 million.