Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Conservation Planning Assistance (Nontraditional Section 6)

The Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund Conservation Planning Assistance grant is a federal funding program administered at the state level by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The program originates from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is designed to support conservation planning efforts that benefit endangered, threatened, candidate, and at risk species. While the federal agency establishes the broader framework and funding allocation, the state agency is responsible for managing the solicitation process, coordinating proposal review, and submitting approved applications to the federal level. This structure reflects a cooperative federalism approach, where federal conservation priorities are implemented through state level expertise and oversight. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the development, renewal, or amendment of Habitat Conservation Plans and Conservation Benefit Agreements. These planning tools are critical for balancing development and conservation by establishing long term strategies to protect species and their habitats. The program specifically supports both plans that include federally listed species and those focused on candidate or at risk species, allowing proactive conservation efforts before formal listing occurs. This forward looking approach helps reduce future regulatory burdens and enhances ecological outcomes through early intervention. Funding provided through this program can be used for a wide range of planning and preparatory activities. Eligible uses include document preparation, baseline species surveys, habitat assessments, and inventories that inform conservation strategies. Public outreach and stakeholder engagement are also supported, recognizing the importance of collaboration in conservation planning. Additionally, funds may be used to complete environmental compliance documentation under laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act. For Conservation Benefit Agreements, funding may also support outreach, coordination, and administrative activities associated with implementing permitted agreements, expanding the program's utility beyond planning into early implementation support. Applicants must meet a minimum non federal cost share requirement of twenty five percent of the total project cost. This means that applicants must contribute or secure non federal funding equal to at least one quarter of the combined project budget. The program is open to a broad range of eligible entities, including state and local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, private entities, institutions of higher education, and Native American tribal organizations. Private entities may be subject to different agreement structures and are encouraged to coordinate with regional offices for guidance. The geographic scope is statewide, supporting voluntary conservation efforts throughout California. The application process requires submission through the California state portal, as proposals not submitted through this solicitation will not be forwarded to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Applicants are required to coordinate with regional staff within the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, who must review and approve proposals prior to submission. Regional offices then submit finalized proposals to a centralized program email. While no letter of intent is required, applicants are strongly encouraged to consult program guidance and coordinate early to ensure compliance with both state and federal requirements. The application deadline is August 14, 2026, and the opportunity opened on July 14, 2026. Award announcements are expected in late 2026 or early 2027. The period of performance varies depending on the project type, with Habitat Conservation Plans typically lasting up to three years and Conservation Benefit Agreements extending up to five years. Funding availability is dependent on federal appropriations, with total estimated funding of eight million seven hundred forty thousand dollars allocated across multiple project types. The program is not explicitly described as recurring, but it is based on annual federal funding cycles, suggesting periodic future opportunities subject to federal release schedules.