Public Access

Wildlife Conservation Board · State of California

At a glance

Public Access 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: Federal and 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: 5 years
Expected award announcement: Continuous
Letter of intent: Not required
Geography: Statewide
How to submit: Online: https://wcb.ca.gov/Grants
Latest change note: edited description

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

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

Wildlife Conservation Board’s Public Access Program’s projects should focus on creating meaningful outdoor experiences for all Californians. Projects should provide public benefits, leverage funding to produce the greatest benefit, and provide access to natural and wild areas.

Description

Access to nature is critical to human health and wellbeing, yet outdoor access and its many benefits are not equitably distributed or equally welcoming to all communities. WCB supports California’s Outdoors for All Initiative by funding Planning and Construction projects that support wildlife-oriented recreation and nature-focused education throughout the state. Planning grants are intended to support the development of projects that are likely to qualify for future implementation funding under this program. Implementation grants are intended for construction or enhancement of public access facilities. WCB is committed to providing support for the full range of outdoor activities that are compatible with our habitat protection mandate: Hunting and fishing Non-consumptive recreation including but not limited to birdwatching, hiking, cycling, and environmental education

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).
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 earlyAlyssa Benedetti · Alyssa.Benedetti@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 2025–2617 applications · 4 awards
Fiscal year 2024–2516 applications · 6 awards

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

Awards published: 6
Total awarded: $10,265,000
Median award: $1,450,500 calculated
Smallest – largest: $890,000 – $2,650,000

Recipients by type: Nonprofit (4), Public Agency (2)

Areas served: Humboldt County (1), Napa County (1), Nevada County (1), Sonoma County (1), Contra Costa County (1), Alameda County (1)

Largest awards to organizations

East Bay Regional Park DistrictTidewater Day Use Area$2,650,000 · FY 2024–25
Mount Diablo Interpretive AssociationEducation Center at Mount Diablo State Park$2,624,000 · FY 2024–25
American Canyon Community and Parks FoundationNapa River Ecology Center$1,614,000 · FY 2024–25
Petaluma River Park FoundationPetaluma River Park - Planning$1,287,000 · FY 2024–25
City of Rio DellEel River Trail Accessible Ramp$1,200,000 · FY 2024–25
Truckee River Watershed CouncilEuer Valley Sustainable Public Access$890,000 · 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)

Alyssa Benedetti
Alyssa.Benedetti@wildlife.ca.gov
1-916-212-0691

Quick answers

Who is eligible to apply for “Public Access”?

The official listing names these applicant types as eligible: Nonprofit, Public Agency and Tribal Government. Additional restrictions may apply; review the full guidelines.

How much funding is available through “Public Access”?

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

How do I apply for “Public Access”?

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