The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the Invasive Species Council of California are set to host a public webinar on April 29 from 3 to 4:30 pm, providing stakeholders and the public a platform to review and comment on the draft guidelines for a newly established Invasive Species Grant Program. This initiative is a direct result of Proposition 4, approved by voters in 2024, which allocates $20 million specifically for combating invasive species, alongside broader funding for food systems, biodiversity, and climate-smart agriculture.

Please register for the webinar here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8596881761300013914

At the heart of this program is the need to address the growing economic, ecological, and health impacts posed by invasive species in California. “Invasive pests and diseases are a constant concern for farmers and ranchers,” notes Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary and co-chair of the Invasive Species Council. “These grants are an investment in protecting the security of our food systems that rely on the health and resilience of the natural and working lands of California.”

Wade Crowfoot, California Secretary for Natural Resources and co-chair of the Invasive Species Council, emphasizes the urgency in tackling these issues, particularly amid a changing climate. “Invasive plants and animals are a growing challenge,” he states. “They destroy infrastructure, eat crops, and spread disease. These grants will help our partners on the ground prevent and respond to these challenges earlier, protecting our farms and ecosystems—and all of us who depend on them.”

Participants in the upcoming webinar will be able to provide feedback on the grant program’s draft guidelines and application requirements. In addition, the CDFA will accept public comments via email or written correspondence until May 29, 2026. Comments can be sent to cisac@iscc.ca.gov or addressed to:

Victoria Hornbaker
Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services
California Department of Food and Agriculture
1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Proposition 4’s $300 million funding package encompasses various initiatives to bolster climate-smart agriculture, with additional allocations including $74 million for enhancing the resilience of agricultural lands, $20 million to support farmers’ markets, and $19 million for urban agricultural projects. This comprehensive approach aims to fortify California’s food systems and ecosystems against the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change and invasive species.