Desert Conservation Program

The Desert Conservation Program is administered by the California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB), a state agency responsible for protecting and restoring wildlife habitat and natural resources across California. The program was formally established through the passage of Assembly Bill 1183, known as the California Desert Conservation Act, which was approved on September 28, 2021. This legislation recognizes the Mojave and Colorado Desert regions as globally significant ecosystems that support high biodiversity, provide essential ecosystem services, and hold deep cultural and historical importance, particularly as ancestral lands of tribal communities. The program reflects a statewide commitment to preserving these landscapes while balancing environmental resilience and public access. The primary purpose of the Desert Conservation Program is to protect, preserve, and restore natural, cultural, and physical resources within designated desert regions of California. This includes promoting biodiversity conservation, enhancing climate resilience, improving air and water quality, and ensuring sustainable public access and recreational use. The program supports a wide range of conservation-oriented activities that align with these goals, emphasizing long-term ecological health and stewardship of sensitive desert ecosystems. Funding under this program is directed toward projects involving land acquisition, habitat restoration, and land management. Eligible activities include acquiring land that contributes to wildlife corridors, protects water resources, or preserves culturally significant tribal sites. Additional allowable uses include restoration of riparian and upland habitats, removal and control of invasive plant species, seed collection and propagation efforts, and scientific research that supports the recovery of threatened or endangered species. The program does not specify explicit funding caps, award amounts, or matching requirements within the provided materials, indicating that funding decisions may be determined on a project-by-project basis. Eligibility for the Desert Conservation Program is inclusive of a range of public and nonprofit entities. Applicants may include federal and state agencies, local public agencies, tribal entities, and nonprofit organizations that hold 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. This broad eligibility framework is intended to encourage collaborative conservation efforts across jurisdictions and organizational types, particularly those with demonstrated capacity to implement environmental and land management projects within the desert regions of California. The application process for this program operates on a continuous basis, with the Wildlife Conservation Board accepting pre-applications year-round. This rolling structure allows applicants to submit proposals at any time rather than adhering to fixed deadlines. Applicants are directed to consult the WCB Grant Opportunities page for detailed application procedures, required documentation, and submission steps. While specific application components are not detailed in the source material, typical submissions are expected to include project descriptions, budgets, and supporting documentation aligned with WCB guidelines. There is no defined application close date due to the continuous intake model, and the program does not specify a recurring cycle or annual deadline structure. As such, project review and award decisions likely occur periodically based on internal review schedules and available funding. The absence of fixed deadlines suggests a flexible evaluation process, allowing the Board to prioritize projects based on urgency, ecological impact, and alignment with program goals. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact Amy Henderson at the Wildlife Conservation Board via email at Amy.Henderson@wildlife.ca.gov or by phone at (916) 926-9585. The Board is headquartered in Sacramento, California, and provides further resources including general grant guidelines and program documentation through its official website. Overall, the Desert Conservation Program represents a strategic investment in safeguarding California’s desert ecosystems through collaborative, science-based conservation initiatives.