Desert Conservation Program

Wildlife Conservation Board · State of California

At a glance

Desert Conservation Program is an open California state grant opportunity from the Wildlife Conservation Board (State of California). Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Total estimated funding is $3M. Applicant types listed as eligible include nonprofit, public agency and tribal government. 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.

Key facts

Opened: Nov 18, 2024
Close date: Ongoing
Award floor: Not specified
Award ceiling: Not specified
Est. total funding: $3,000,000
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
Matching funds: Not Required — Cost share is not required but may be beneficial, in particular to complete a larger project. Applications with higher proportions of secured cost share contribution towards total project cost will score more points through the “Cost Share” application evaluation criterion.
Funding method: Advances & Reimbursement(s)
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: June 30, 2027
Expected award announcement: Continuous
Letter of intent: Required
Geography: Desert Conservation Program Boundary Map
How to submit: Online: https://wcb.ca.gov/Grants
Latest change note: updated available funding amount.

Who can apply

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

Nonprofit
Public Agency
Tribal Government

Additional information on eligibility (from the listing)

Eligible entities include: federal and state agencies, local public agencies, tribal entities, and non-profits with 501 (c)(3) tax exempt status.

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

As a result of efforts undertaken by individuals and entities with a strong interest in protecting the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, Assembly Bill 1183, now known as the California Desert Conservation Act, was approved by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 28, 2021. Passage of the California Desert Conservation Act established the Desert Conservation Program under the administration of the Wildlife Conservation Board.

Description

The Desert Conservation Program includes the following actions: Protect, preserve, and restore the natural, cultural, and physical resources of the portions of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts region in California through the acquisition, restoration, and management of lands.Promote the protection and restoration of the biological diversity of the region. Provide for resilience in the region to climate change.Protect and improve air quality and water resources within the region.Undertake efforts to enhance public use and enjoyment of lands owned by the public. The Wildlife Conservation Board accepts pre-applications for acquisition, restoration, and management projects on a continuous basis. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to: Acquisition of land, especially parcels that are part of a wildlife movement corridor, contain water sources, have sacred or culturally significant tribal sites, protect listed species, or provide public accessRestoration of riparian and upland vegetationInvasive plant removal and control.Seed collection, processing, and propagationScientific studies, especially those that help aid in the recovery of listed species.

How to apply

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Read the program guidelinesThe agency's solicitation or guidelines set eligibility details, scoring criteria and required documents. Open ↗
Confirm eligibility and fitCheck your organization type and location (see Geography above).
Submit the letter of intentThis program asks for a letter of intent before the full application; check the guidelines for its due date.
Find out how to submitOnline: https://wcb.ca.gov/Grants Open ↗
Request letters of support and partner commitmentsPartners need time to write and sign letters; ask early.
Finish a full draft of the application and budgetFollow the guidelines' format exactly; state programs often require specific forms and attachments.
Ask the program contact any questions earlyAmy Henderson · amy.henderson@wildlife.ca.gov Open ↗
Internal review and sign-offLeave time for leadership or board approval and a final proofread.
Submit while funds remainSubmit a few days early and keep your submission confirmation.

Past applications & awards

Historical data · not a prediction

Reported by the agency for this listing

Fiscal year 2025–267 applications · 1 award
Fiscal year 2024–251 application · 4 awards

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

Awards published: 4
Total awarded: $12,602,392
Median award: $3,205,163 calculated
Smallest – largest: $961,000 – $5,231,066

Recipients by type: Nonprofit (3), Public Agency (1)

Areas served: Inyo County (2), Riverside County (1), Imperial County (1), San Bernardino County (1)

Largest awards to organizations

California Department of Water ResourcesBombay Beach Wetland Enhancement$5,231,066 · FY 2024–25
Oswit Land TrustPrescott Preserve Ecological Restoration$3,480,000 · FY 2024–25
American Bird ConservancyEnhancing Biodiversity and Resilience in the Amargosa Basin$2,930,326 · FY 2024–25
California Botanic GardenAmargosa Basin Alkali Wetland Restoration and Seed Collection$961,000 · FY 2024–25

Source: California Grants Portal grant award data. Awards to individuals are counted but not named. Past awards show who was funded; they do not predict future decisions.

Program contact (as published)

Amy Henderson
amy.henderson@wildlife.ca.gov
1-916-926-9585

Changes we detected

Oct 13, 2026: Estimated total funding changed

Quick answers

Who is eligible to apply for “Desert Conservation Program”?

The official listing names these applicant types as eligible: Nonprofit, Public Agency and Tribal Government. It adds: “Eligible entities include: federal and state agencies, local public agencies, tribal entities, and non-profits with 501 (c)(3) tax exempt status.” Additional restrictions may apply; review the full guidelines.

How much funding is available through “Desert Conservation Program”?

Per the notice, total estimated program funding is $3,000,000.

How do I apply for “Desert Conservation Program”?

Applications go directly to Wildlife Conservation Board, not through GrantsJunction. Submission: online at https://wcb.ca.gov/Grants. 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.

OpenState of California