Courtesy of Richard Murphy

The Power in Nature Coalition on September 26, 2025, is spotlighting recent progress toward California’s goal of conserving 30% of its lands and waters by 2030 (30×30). In August, the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) approved $21.7 million in grants to 16 habitat protection and restoration projects across 11 counties. This comes on the heels of their previous round of funding in May, where they awarded $59.5 million in grants to support 25 habitat protection and restoration projects across 21 counties.

“The Wildlife Conservation Board is proud to play a leading role in advancing California’s 30×30 commitment,” said Jennifer Norris, Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Board. “Protecting biodiversity, strengthening climate resilience, and expanding access to nature are at the heart of WCB’s mission and strategic plan. By funding projects like these, we are ensuring that California’s lands and waters will continue to sustain wildlife and people for generations to come.”

Below are seven featured projects identified by Power In Nature members that illustrate how these investments are supporting conservation efforts across California’s diverse ecosystems:

• Prescott Preserve Restoration Project: A $3.48 million grant to Oswit Land Trust in Palm Springs for the restoration of 75 acres of the Prescott Preserve, a defunct 120-acre golf course. Once restored, the project will reestablish connected habitats for native wildlife and bring the preserve back to its original native desert ecosystem.
  • “While the Prescott Preserve has already been rewilding itself, the restoration funds provided so generously by the Wildlife Conservation Board will hasten bringing the desert habitat back to increase biodiversity for desert wildlife and plant species to thrive,” said Bettina Rosmarino, Land Acquisition Director, Oswit Land Trust. “The preserve has also been an essential addition within the Coachella Valley for increasing access to nature for all and the restoration funds will ensure that all residents can appreciate the beauty of the desert.”
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  Salmon and Packer Creek Aspen Restoration site in Sierra County – Courtesy of South Yuba River Citizens League

  Salmon & Packer Creek Aspen Restoration Project: A $1.7 million grant to the South Yuba River Citizens League, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, to launch this project and restore 116 acres of aspen habitat in the Sierra Nevada. Covering 292 acres north of Highway 49 and west of Gold Lakes Highway, this project focuses on restoring degraded quaking aspen stands along Packer and Salmon Creek in the Lost Sierra, near Packer Lake Road.

  • “Aspen stands are vital to forest biodiversity, providing important habitat for wildlife and increasing overall ecosystem resilience,” said Anne Marie Holt, the Forest Conservation Project Manager, South Yuba River Citizens League. “This project reflects a strategic, science-based approach to restoring aspen habitat that will increase fire resiliency and forest health in the Lost Sierra. Increasing the extent and health of meadow ecosystems like Salmon Creek Meadow will not only benefit aspen stands, but also improve local hydrology and support broader biodiversity.”
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  Rancho Canada Larga property in Ventura County – Courtesy of Kerry Mormann via The Trust for Public Land

  Rancho Cañada Larga Project: A $14.75 million grant to Trust for Public Land (TPL) to acquire approximately 6,475 acres near the city of Ventura featuring coastal sage scrub, native grasslands, oak woodlands, chaparral, and riparian habitats that support at least 20 special-status wildlife species and eight rare plant species. The site provides critical habitat for the California red-legged frog and Southern California steelhead, and lies within the year-round range of the California condor. These lands also hold cultural significance and protect a critical wildlife corridor connecting two major watersheds and national forests.

  • “We’re grateful to the CA Wildlife Conservation Board for their continued leadership in advancing California’s bold 30×30 vision,” said Guillermo Rodriguez, Vice President, Pacific Region and California State Director, Trust for Public Land. “Investments like the nearly $15 million for Rancho Cañada Larga are essential to preserving iconic landscapes, safeguarding biodiversity, and helping communities adapt to the growing threats of climate change. Protecting this land not only secures vital habitat—it ensures future generations can connect with nature in meaningful, lasting ways.”
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  Current end of trail and proposed location of ramp. Courtesy of City of Rio Dell.

  Eel River Trail Project: A $1.2 million grant to the city of Rio Dell to complete the final phase of its first multi-use recreational trail. Located in Humboldt County, the Eel River Trail Accessible Ramp Project will construct an ADA-compliant ramp at the Davis Street trailhead, ensuring people of all abilities can access the scenic Eel River and surrounding redwood bluffs. This project helps advance California’s Outdoors for All initiative.

  • “In the heart of the California Coastal Redwoods, Rio Dell is creating something transformative,” said Kyle Knopp, MPA, City Manager of the City of Rio Dell. “The Wildlife Conservation Board’s investment will complete the final segment of our Eel River Trail—a fully ADA accessible gateway that opens the Eel River and our ancient and towering Eel River Bluffs to everyone. This isn’t just about a trail; it’s about ensuring that the wonder and power of this riparian area can be experienced by all visitors, regardless of ability. We’re proving that conservation and accessibility go hand in hand, and the economic and educational ripple effects will benefit our community for generations.”
• Alder-89 Forest and Lahontan Cutthroat Trout (LCT) Habitat Restoration Project: A $3.62 million grant to the Truckee River Watershed Council (TRWC) to restore forest and aquatic habitat in Nevada County’s Middle Truckee River watershed. The Alder-89 Forest and Lahontan Cutthroat Trout (LCT) Habitat Restoration Project will improve 2,555 acres of forest, including 46 acres of aspen stands, and complete environmental planning on 1,245 acres in the Upper Independence Creek area — a key spawning habitat for one of California’s few remaining wild LCT populations. Work will include thinning overstocked forests, reducing hazardous fuels, restoring meadow and riparian areas, and increasing resilience to high-severity wildfire along the Highway 89 corridor.
  • “The funding provided by WCB for the Alder 89 and the LCT fuels projects continues the momentum of the Middle Truckee River Watershed Forest Partnership in achieving our goal of implementing forest health and ecological restoration activities across 60,000 acres in the next decade,” said Eben Swain, Project Director of the Truckee River Watershed Council (TRWC.) “The combination of implementation and planning support is critical to protecting forest, community and watershed health for years to come.”
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  Wetlands at the Big Canyon project site, Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve. Courtesy of Wildlife Conservation Board

  Big Canyon Project: A $3.24 million grant to the Newport Bay Conservancy for the final phase of restoration at Big Canyon, part of the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve and Big Canyon Nature Park in Orange County. The project will restore 14 acres of salt marsh, transitional freshwater wetlands, riparian corridors and upland habitat, benefiting at least 12 listed species while improving resilience to sea level rise. Work will also enhance public trails and expand educational partnerships with local schools and conservation groups.

  • “WCB’s support is a crucial final step toward restoring the mouth of Big Canyon, creating 14 acres of historical salt marsh and establishing functioning transitional wetlands,” said Heather Cieslak, Operations Director of the Newport Bay Conservancy. “This project has been 20 years in the making, and its completion will provide long-term climate resilience and help protect disappearing habitats and several threatened species along our coast.”
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  Courtesy of Richard Murphy

  Escondido Creek Conservancy Projects: More than $6.89 million in grants to The Escondido Creek Conservancy (Conservancy) to protect two key properties in North San Diego County; one in Elfin Forest — 96-acre Elfin Acres property, and one in San Marcos, the 160-acre White-Atterbury property. Funded in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the acquisitions safeguard southern mixed chaparral, coastal sage scrub, riparian habitats and seasonal wetlands that support the coastal California gnatcatcher, southwest pond turtle, western spadefoot toad and other rare species. Together, the properties connect to more than 2,000 acres of protected lands, linking wildlife corridors and expanding public trail networks in North San Diego County. This follows the $840,000 grant the Conservancy received in May to preserve the 10-acre Ross property. 

  • “These acquisitions complete and connect critical habitat within the gnatcatcher core of the North County Multiple Species Conservation Program Plan,” said Ann Van Leer, executive director of the Conservancy. “They also enhance opportunities for public trails and outdoor education while protecting rare wildlife for generations to come.”

Learn more information about the projects supported by these grants from August and May.

Background on 30×30:

Scientists worldwide agree that to protect life as we know it, we must conserve at least 30% of the Earth’s lands and coastal waters by 2030. In 2020, Governor Newsom committed California to the 30×30 goal, and in 2023, that goal became state law.

California is making strong progress towards 30×30, but millions of acres still must be conserved in less than five years. Preserving the state’s lands and coastal waters will help address the impacts of climate change, protect animal and plant species at risk for extinction, and expand access to nature for Californians.

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About the Power In Nature Coalition

Power In Nature is a statewide coalition of community groups, environmental and conservation organizations, land trusts, Indigenous organizations, and Tribal members dedicated to advancing California’s 30×30 commitment. The Power In Nature coalition has identified nearly 100 potential 30×30 projects across the state and works on a broad range of issues, including biodiversity protection, climate resilience, equity, recreation, outdoor access, and social justice. For more information, visit PowerInNature.org.

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