2025 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: HCP Land Acquisition (Nontraditional Section 6)

The Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition program is a federally funded initiative administered at the state level by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The program operates under Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act and is designed to support long term conservation strategies through targeted land acquisition. By channeling federal resources through state agencies, the program enables coordinated conservation planning while maintaining compliance with federal requirements that may evolve over time. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife serves as the primary state level administrator, requiring all proposals to be submitted through its solicitation process and reviewed by regional staff prior to federal consideration. The primary purpose of the program is to fund land acquisition projects that support approved Habitat Conservation Plans and ensure the protection of species habitat in perpetuity. These projects are intended to reduce conflicts between endangered species conservation and competing land uses by securing critical habitats through fee simple acquisition or permanent conservation easements. The program emphasizes that funded acquisitions are additive to existing Habitat Conservation Plan commitments and do not replace required mitigation or monitoring obligations. Instead, the funding is designed to strengthen conservation outcomes by expanding protected landscapes, promoting species recovery, and reducing the likelihood that additional species will require listing under the Endangered Species Act. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis and supports a wide range of acquisition activities directly tied to habitat conservation. Eligible uses include purchasing land or securing conservation easements that permanently protect habitat areas identified in approved plans. The program requires a minimum non federal cost share of twenty five percent of the total project cost, meaning applicants must contribute matching funds that are not derived from federal sources. This matching requirement is calculated based on the combined total of the requested grant funds and the applicant’s cost share contribution. Other project related funds that are not designated as cost share are excluded from this calculation, reinforcing the program’s emphasis on leveraging non federal investment. Eligibility is limited to state agencies that have entered into a Cooperative Agreement under Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act. While only state agencies may receive direct awards, other entities such as nonprofit organizations, counties, tribal governments, and public agencies may participate as subgrantees by partnering with an eligible state agency. The program therefore supports collaborative conservation efforts while maintaining compliance with federal funding structures. Projects must be aligned with approved Habitat Conservation Plans and are expected to contribute to statewide voluntary conservation efforts within California. The application process requires submission through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife solicitation, and proposals not submitted through this state level process will not be forwarded to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Applicants must coordinate with regional staff for review and approval prior to submission, and regional offices are responsible for forwarding proposals to the designated program contact email. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review full grant guidelines and coordinate early with regional contacts to ensure compliance with both state and federal requirements. There is no letter of intent requirement specified, but adherence to submission protocols and regional coordination is essential. The application window for this funding opportunity opens on July fourteenth two thousand twenty six and closes on August fourteenth two thousand twenty six. Award announcements are expected in late two thousand twenty six or early two thousand twenty seven, and funded projects will have a period of performance of three years. The total estimated funding available is twenty six million dollars, with individual awards ranging from ten thousand dollars to twenty six million dollars depending on project scope. The number of awards is not specified and is dependent on proposal quality and funding allocation decisions. Questions regarding the program can be directed to the NCCP Program at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife via the provided email and phone contact.