California

Ai.Fish
Artificial-Intelligence Assisted Data Management and Review Platform for Hawaii Longline Fisheries (CA, HI)
Develop a web-based application using machine learning and computer vision algorithms to pre-process electronic monitoring data from the Hawaii pelagic longline fisheries. Project will reduce costs and improve timeliness of the review process, lowering the barrier to entry for implementation of electronic monitoring and review technologies in the Hawaii-permitted longline fisheries.
$300,617

American Bird Conservancy
Supporting On-the-Ground Riparian Restoration on Private Lands (CA)
Increase participation of private landowners in California to restore riparian habitat for southwestern willow flycatcher by providing technical assistance for on-the-ground riparian restoration projects using Natural Resources Conservation Service conservation practices. Project will engage 200 landowners and will improve management on 500 acres of riparian habitat to support the species recovery plan of the southwestern willow flycatcher.
$113,361

American Conservation Experience
Fuels Reduction Training to Restore Forest Health and Promote Resilience in Crystal Lake (CA)
Restore forest health across 203 acres to improve wildlife habitat and reduce the risk of severe wildfires in the Golden Cup plantation area of Crystal Lake within San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Project will provide training to a fuels reduction crew that will implement necessary fuels treatments to promote forest health and resilience.
$321,246

American Rivers
Aquatic Organism Passage Barrier Removal and Meadow Restoration in the Pine Creek Watershed (CA)
Remove barriers to the passage of aquatic organisms, and restore meadows in the Pine Creek watershed in Lassen National Forest. Project will remove eight passage barriers, permit seven additional passage improvements, and restore 240 acres of meadow to improve instream flows and enhance native fish habitat and connectivity.
$338,094

American Rivers
Meadow Restoration in Faith Valley and Grouse Meadow in the Desert Terminal Lakes Watersheds (CA)
Restore hydrological processes in Faith Valley, a priority meadow within the Carson Basin Watershed, and initiate planning for wet meadow restoration in Grouse Meadow, a high-priority site within the Walker Basin Watershed. Project will improve habitat for the willow flycatcher by restoring hydrology across 120 acres of meadows and conduct planning and design for 40 acres of meadows within suitable habitat for bi-state sage-grouse.
$242,486

Amigos de los Rios
Interpretive Signage for Areas Impacted by the Copper and Powerhouse Fires (CA)
Research, develop, and produce educational, interpretive and wayfinding signage to boost awareness of Copper and Powerhouse fire impacts on Angeles National Forest in California. Project will produce signage that includes information related to the ecology and history of the region in addition to wayfinding information for trail users, which will enhance trail sites, increase awareness of fire ecology, and promote responsible forest stewardship.
$65,000

Cachuma Resource Conservation District
Removal of Invasive Spanish Broom in Los Padres National Forest (CA)
Eradicate two isolated, invasive Spanish broom populations in the Los Padres National Forest to prevent further infestation. Project will apply herbicide treatments to invasives followed by planting of native chaparral plant species, and will also install interpretive signage to educate the public on invasive plant management and native plant restoration following wildfires.
$478,740

California Association 
of Resource Conservation Districts Using Technical Assistance to Increase Resource Conservation District Efforts for Monarchs (CA)
Utilize the California network of Resource Conservation Districts to advance technical assistance for monarch butterfly and pollinator habitat restoration and enhancement on private working. Project will develop 50 pollinator conservation plans, restore 50 acres of habitat, coordinate 63 meetings and workshops, and reach 150 landowners.
$300,000

California Conservation Corps
Treatment and Removal of Golden Spotted Oak Borer Infestations in Green Valley (CA)
Treat and remove trees infested with the golden spotted oak borer within the Green Valley area and within the vicinity of the Sawmill Liebre Road in the Angeles National Forest in California. Project will treat 100 acres and will include the development of all appropriate safety measures, including a fire plan.
$172,733

California Deer Association
Improving Meadows and Wildlife Migratory Corridors in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest (CA)
Create pollinator and wildlife migratory corridors and re-establish historic meadows in the McCloud Ranger District of Shasta-Trinity National Forest with tribe, public and private sector support. Project will improve watershed and meadow resilience, establish new forage sites and migratory corridors for pollinators and wildlife, re-establish historic aspen and meadows, and remove invasive conifers that are encroaching in critical habitat areas.
$260,500

California Fire Safe Council
Regional Wildfire Mitigation Program for the Santa Barbara South Coast (CA)
Establish long-term wildfire resilience of shrubland-dominated watersheds and human communities on increasingly fire-prone landscapes in Southern California. Project will develop a comprehensive assessment of wildfire risk and vulnerability, as well implement a nature-based strategy and solutions for the built environment, natural landscape, and citizens along the coastal wildland-urban-interface region of Santa Barbara County.
$5,472,641

California Institute of Environmental Studies
Evaluation of Artificial Nest Modules for Ashy Storm-Petrel on Santa Cruz Island (CA)
Evaluate suitability of artificial predator-proof nest modules for ashy storm-petrels breeding at Santa Cruz Island, California. Project will measure the effectiveness and functionality of modules by evaluating: visitation/occupancy, the number of breeding sites, breeding success rates and by comparing abiotic data between artificial and natural sites as well as recording interactions of ravens with modules and assessing depredation rates.
$49,997

California Invasive Plant Council
Development of Environmental Compliance in Preparation for Invasive Vegetation Removal (CA)
Develop environmental compliance that will target a variety of invasive vegetation found within priority watersheds within the Lassen National Forest and incorporate an adaptive management strategy. Project will reduce Canada thistle infestation by 30 percent, or 1 acre, following the completion of an Environmental Assessment.
$77,574

California Trout
Analysis of Irrigation Efficiency Priorities for Instream Flows in California
Identify and prioritize project opportunities where: 1) agricultural producers can improve the efficiency of irrigation water use through the adoption of modern technologies and management techniques that are consistent with practices funded under the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program; and 2) water conserved by irrigation efficiency improvements will be dedicated to provide quantifiable, protect-able and ecologically meaningful improvements to instream flows to benefit fish and wildlife.
$66,955

California Trout
Shasta Watershed Flow Enhancement (CA)
Secure instream flows for the improvement of salmonid habitat throughout the Shasta River and its tributaries. Project will result in a permanent dedication of 1.5 cubic feet per second in the Little Shasta River for the improvement of coho spawning and rearing habitat, as well as the addition of at least 500 acre-feet of water into the Shasta River to support the in-migration of fall Chinook.
$129,995

Channel Islands Restoration
Tamarisk Removal and Monitoring in the Sisquoc River Watershed in Los Padres National Forest (CA)
Treat and monitor tamarisk trees and seedlings in the Sisquoc River and nine tributaries within the Los Padres National Forest in an effort to eradicate the species from the upper watershed. Project will complete surveys and a combination of treatments, including chemical treatments and hand pulling across 40 miles, in addition to monitoring previously completed tamarisk treatments.
$238,572

Channel Islands Restoration
Tamarisk Removal in the Upper Santa Ynez River Watershed in Los Padres National Forest (CA)
Survey, locate, and treat tamarisk trees and seedlings in the upper Santa Ynez River and monitor previously treated trees. Project will survey 170 miles of the upper Santa Ynez River and 14 tributary streams and canyons upstream of Gibraltar Dam, record the locations of all tamarisk trees and seedlings, monitor the results of last year’s treatment of 120 tamarisk trees, and treat additional tamarisk trees in the upper watershed.
$149,468

Conservation Biology Institute
Santa Monica Mountains Woolsey Fire Recovery and Adaptation Program (CA)
Create a comprehensive fire prevention program for the region, focusing on homeowner outreach and education while conserving and restoring plant and wildlife habitat functions by improving homeowner practices and reestablishing native oaks in critical locations. Project will leverage prior and ongoing planning efforts to achieve more sustainable and resilient approaches to wildfire management in the Santa Monica Mountains region.
$2,500,000

Conservation Science Global
Raven Movements in the Desert and Implications for Tortoise Recovery (CA)
Track raven movements using GPS devices to determine frequencies and distances that these birds move into wildlands and the amounts and types of wildlands that urban ravens include in their home ranges. Project will use data on how ravens from urban areas, where their populations are large, interact with natural settings where desert tortoise are located in order to manage predation of the threatened Mojave desert tortoise by common ravens.
$250,000

Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
Lower Walnut Creek Restoration (CA)
Restore wetland habitats in the lower, tidal part of Walnut Creek to provide sustainable flood management. Project will set back levees from the channel to increase flood capacity and reconnect/create new floodplains reconnecting tides to brackish wetlands, thus restoring habitats for fish and wildlife.
$1,400,000

Earth Island Institute
Finalization of Removal Plans for Wheeler Gorge Campground Aquatic Organism Passage Barrier (CA)
Restore access for the federally endangered steelhead trout to 13 miles of creek habitat in the Ventura River watershed within the Wheeler Gorge campground of the Los Padres National Forest. Project will finalize engineering plans for the removal of four stream crossings.
$49,581

Earth Island Institute
Comprehensive Community-Based Debris Flow Mitigation and Habitat Restoration (CA)
Mitigate future flood impacts from debris flows and improve steelhead trout migration and habitat by removing passage barriers and restoring riparian areas. Project will excavate debris from ring nets, increase debris basin capacity, remove fish barriers, improve native riparian canopy and work with the community to increase awareness of the interconnectedness of watershed functions and flooding.
$2,477,273

Earth Island Institute
Manzana Creek Watershed Sediment Reduction, Aquatic Protection and Road Restoration (CA)
Implement erosion control and sediment prevention measures at active road sediment source sites within the Manzana Creek Watershed in Los Padres National Forest in California. Project will complete necessary environmental compliance to target and treat 13 stream crossing sites and 20 road surface discharge sites, hydrologically disconnect 4 miles of road surfaces and cutbanks contributing to sedimentation, and restore altered hydrologic runoff processes along 5 miles of road.
$423,908

Family Water Alliance
Collaboration to Identify Projects along the Klamath River Basin (CA, OR)
Identify and build support for projects within the Klamath Basin Watershed to improve delivery of water to fish and farms. Project will include ecosystem restoration and water supply enhancement, and will involve collaboration from multiple stakeholder groups across the Klamath River Basin.
$10,000

Farallon Institute
Integrating Science into Fisheries Management  (CA)
Develop additional inputs for assessment of the northern anchovy central stock in California. Project will analyze seabird spatial forage needs and fishery competition, synthesize all information to date in a novel Ecosystem Socio-Economic Profile and develop a tiered harvest rule based on long-term anchovy population and predator data.
$99,992

Friends of the Los Angeles River
Re-Wilding the Los Angeles River Through Education and Engagement (CA)
Mobilize volunteers to remove invasive plants, plant natives, conduct bird point counts and remove 120 tons of trash from an 11-mile stretch of river from Griffith Park through downtown. Project will engage 7,000 volunteers, remove invasive species on 3 acres of the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve, educate 1,000 students from Title I schools in Los Angeles, and train 25 more teachers to use LA River curriculum.
$49,997

GS Black
Upper Parks Creek Water Assessment (CA)
Increase irrigation delivery and efficiency on Parks Creek to reduce the number of diversion points allowing for instream benefit to Coho salmon in California. Project will develop designs to combine diversions, select a point of diversion for the combined water rights, including infrastructure to provide fish passage, allow sediment transport, install a compliant fish screen as well as stream flow and diversion volume measuring devices.
$149,540

HANA Resources 
Expanding Least Bell’s Vireo Surveys 
on BLM Lands (CA)
Complete Phase II of a least Bell’s vireo (LBVI) study. Project will report on occupied habitat patches, quality of the habitat, estimated numbers of LBVI and potential threats to LBVI (e.g. brown-headed cowbirds) and will expand on a Phase I study conducted in 2019.
$90,832

Humboldt County Public Works
Intertidal Coastal Marsh Restoration and Transportation Corridor Protection in Humboldt Bay (CA)
Initiate implementation of intertidal coastal marsh restoration to increase community resilience to flooding, and demonstrate the use of natural ecological systems for sea level rise adaptation. Project will perform site characterization and prepare preliminary design (50 percent) for a project utilizing tidal benches or similar natural infrastructure techniques to help protect a critical transportation corridor along Humboldt Bay from flood hazards.
$124,999

Lassen County Fire Safe Council
Prescribed Fire in Lassen National Forest (CA)
Conduct prescribed burns to reduce wildfire risk, contribute to the landscape-level goals of community and habitat protection, and improve overall forest health of the Diamond Mountain project area within the Lassen National Forest. Project will facilitate burning piles across 1,075 acres of hand-thinned, overly dense conifers.
$73,626

Mid Klamath Watershed Council
Klamath River Tributary and Mainstem Habitat Design and Planning (CA)
Improve habitat for Coho salmon on the mainstem Klamath River and four priority tributaries in California. Project will engage landowners who are willing to have a floodplain fisheries restoration project occur on their property, and complete planning and/or design to further project development.
$328,829

Mid Klamath Watershed Council
Strategic Thinning for Prescribed Fire in Six Rivers National Forest (CA)
Conduct manual thinning to increase fire safety around the Orleans and Somes Bar communities within the Six Rivers National Forest and implement fuels reduction treatment along strategic fuel breaks to manage future fires and prepare for large scale prescribed fires. Project will prioritize thinnings to create buffers along private properties and critical routes and oversee strategic fuel breaks across 430 acres.
$500,000

Monarch Joint Venture
Improve the Scale and Coordination of Monarch Conservation Efforts (CA)
Increase strategic habitat implementation and stakeholder engagement in response to the declining western monarch population. Project will provide technical assistance to local farmers, ranchers, and other private landowners to implement monarch and pollinator habitat practices on private working lands, bringing 450 acres under improved management, restoring 50 acres and engaging 550 landowners.
$182,699

Monterey County Resource Management Agency
Carmel River Floodplain Restoration and Environmental Enhancement (CA)
Design the removal of sections of levees on the south bank of the Carmel River to construct a causeway that will allow redirected floodwaters to flow under the State Route 1 embankment, reducing flood risk within the 100-year floodplain. Project will design a mosaic of wetland, riparian, and upland habitats across the site providing foraging, nesting, and breeding habitat for many species of birds and other wildlife.
$300,243

National Audubon Society
Increase Collaboration of Sagebrush Conservation (multiple states)
Strategically coordinate internal and external communication between a wide range of stakeholders committed to improving communications about the sagebrush ecosystem to elevate not only individual efforts but also the larger dialog about the value and need for sagebrush conservation. Project will bring 100 acres of sagebrush habitat under improved management, develop media resources for community stake holders and host field tour events that elevate on-the-ground conservation.
$29,636

National Audubon Society
Transforming Marin City’s Urban Wetland (CA)
Develop a publicly informed and community-supported design to restore and strengthen Marin City’s urban wetland. Project will improve the functionality and resilience of wetland habitat that will serve as shoreline protection from storms and floods while supporting birds and other wildlife, and providing much-needed opportunities for local residents to engage with nature.
$145,947

National Forest Foundation
Improving Forest Health of Sawmill Liebre Plantations Affected by the Powerhouse Fire (CA)
Enhance and support post-fire restoration in the Powerhouse fire scar on the Angeles National Forest in California. Project will treat native conifer plantations and oak stands through brush canopy reduction, pruning, thinning, and dead tree removal along 120 acres to improve ecological function and resilience to future fires.
$120,236

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
Integrated Fisheries Restoration and Monitoring Plan for the Klamath River (CA, OR)
Complete a final draft of the Integrated Fisheries Restoration and Monitoring Plan for the Klamath River. Project will: 1) convene a series of work sessions with identified groups of fish and habitat professionals in the various Klamath sub-basins and gather input on prioritization of identified restoration actions; 2) produce a revised version of the Klamath Plan that includes new phasing input; 3) re-form participants into a basin-wide technical group and perform ranking and phasing exercise at sub-regional spatial scales; 4) produce a first draft of Section 3 of Plan to include initial ranking and phasing of restoration activities at the sub-basin, sub-regional, and basin-wide level; and 5) produce a final draft of the completed Plan document.
$200,000

Pfleger Institute of Environmental Research
Testing Electronic Monitoring to Address Observer Constraints in the Swordfish Deep-Set Fishery (CA)
Compare and document the efficacy and feasibility of electronic monitoring to document catch and bycatch in the California deep-set buoy fishery. Project will directly compare traditional human observers and camera-based electronic monitoring to assess costs, improve the potential for monitoring small vessels and meet regulatory requirements while maintaining full accountability in the developing fishery.
$172,863

Point Reyes Bird Observatory, Point Blue Conservation Science
Restoration Implementation, Monitoring, and Bat Surveys in Colby Creek (CA)
Restore priority meadows within the Storrie Fire nexus watersheds, collect pre- and post-restoration monitoring data to evaluate effectiveness, and conduct surveys on sensitive bat species. Project will restore hydrology over 175 acres, improve over 2.5 miles of stream, and establish a baseline condition and sampling strategy to evaluate ecological effectiveness monitoring of meadows restoration activities.
$705,563

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden
Improving Plant Diversity in Fire Affected Watersheds in Angeles National Forest (CA)
Improve capacity for resource management and promote resilience for future wildfires through seed collection, restoration of threatened and endangered plant species, monitoring and assessment of past and ongoing chaparral restoration sites, and development of a best management practices and propagation manual for chaparral and coastal sage scrub species. Project will work to enhance and restore wildlands following wildfire and protect the sensitive biodiversity on the Angeles National Forest.
$201,552

Regents of the University of California
Headstarting Tortoises and Raven Predation Pressure on Tortoise Recruitment (CA, NV)
Utilize radio-telemetry to track head-started Mojave desert tortoises that have been released in the wild to estimate size-dependent survival and use lifelike tortoise models and camera traps to evaluate the role of raven predation in size-dependent tortoise mortality. Project will use collected information to gauge the effectiveness of desert tortoise head-starting as a recovery tool and to understand the role that ravens play in limiting survival and recruitment of young tortoises into declining desert tortoise populations.
$299,659

Resighini Rancheria
Fisheries Restoration Planning and Design (CA)
Produce 100-percent design for fish passage on one main channel culvert and 30-percent design on two tributary culverts to upgrade existing degraded culvert crossings on Junior Creek in California. Project will improve juvenile fish passage through the lower culvert and two tributary culverts in Junior Creek and improve connectivity with the Lower Klamath River to benefit Southern Oregon/Northern California Coastal Coho salmon.
$93,500

Resource Conservation District of Tehama County
Culvert Removal and Improvement in the Griffin Creek Tributary (CA)
Remove and replace an existing culvert to improve stream flow in the Griffin Creek tributary within Mendocino National Forest. Project will replace a culvert that will reduce sedimentation and improve water quality.
$34,191

Salmon River Restoration Council
Invasive Plant Removal to Enhance Riparian Habitat in Salmon River Watershed (CA)
Contain, control and eradicate invasive vegetation and plant native species to enhance riparian habitat in the Salmon River watershed in the Klamath National Forest. Project will remove invasive plant species, such as the spotted knapweed, and will plant locally sourced native species in riparian corridors to reduce ecological pressures on native organisms.
$32,000

Sonoma Resource Conservation District
Restoring Streamflow for Steelhead Trout in the Petaluma River Watershed (CA)
Improve instream flow in the Petaluma River watershed for steelhead trout by providing on-farm technical assistance to facilitate the implementation of conservation practices. Project will develop farm water conservation plans and engineered designs at four properties, consisting of at least 10 best management practices instream reaches where insufficient flow is a limiting factor limiting steelhead survival.
$51,890

Sierra Institute for Community and Environment
Fuels Reduction Preparation, Monitoring, and NEPA for Green Island Lake Research Natural Area (CA)
Complete an environmental compliance document to analyze the ecological effects of prescribed fire as well as develop a prescribed burn monitoring plan in the Green Island Lake Research Natural Area. Project will complete restoration planning and design across 1,185 acres and will complete two studies to inform management decisions.
$399,753

Sonoma Land Trust
Sonoma Valley Wildlands: Fire Resiliency for Communities and Natural Habitats (CA)
Perform vegetation management and fuel reduction activities throughout 18,000 acres of protected lands and implement a countywide public education campaign to increase wildfire resilience in Sonoma County, California. Project will treat 720 acres of wildlands to reduce risk to life, land and property and increase health and wildfire resilience of forest habitat.
$319,364

Shasta Valley Resource Conservation District
Storm-proofing and Watershed Infrastructure in the Horse Creek Watershed (CA)
Improve watershed health and reduce sediment sources within the Horse Creek tributary in the Klamath National Forest. Project will complete the engineering design to improve roads and replace or install culverts to reduce sedimentation and improve watershed condition, road infrastructure and instream habitat.
$284,869

Sierra Institute for Community and Environment
Watershed Infrastructure Assessment in Lassen National Forest (CA)
Conduct an infrastructure assessment to identify and prioritize specific Watershed Improvement Plan projects in Lassen National Forest. Project will complete site-specific surveys of road features that will be used alongside ranking criteria to assist with project prioritization, a road-stream crossing inventory and condition assessment, and to help guide future planning efforts.
$152,277

Terra Fuego Resource Foundation
Prescribed Fire Implementation on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (CA)
Conduct prescribed burns operations using existing piles of conifer that have been thinned on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit in California. Project will implement prescribed fires across 15 prescribed fire units totaling to 68 acres to remove conifers that are encroaching on ecologically valuable Aspen stands, which provide habitat for a variety of species.
$56,000

The Ocean Foundation
Otay River Watershed Bird and Habitat Restoration Project (CA)
Restore 3 acres within the Otay River watershed, including mapping native and nonnative plants, invasive plant species removal, litter abatement and native plant revegetation. Project will reach 700 students, 25 teachers, 50 parents and 10 volunteers in habitat restoration and environmental education, including classroom activities and outdoor excursions.
$33,134

The Student Conservation Association
Development of Environmental Compliance for Fuels Reduction Preparation in Lower Yellow Creek (CA)
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for a project area in the high-priority Lower Yellow Creek Watershed in the Lassen National Forest, followed by fuels reduction preparation. Project will provide an environmental assessment for the project area and will subsequently perform fuels management using hand treatments on 61 acres and forest thinning using hand treatments on 114 acres.
$287,772

The Student Conservation Association
Noncommercial Thinning and Fuel Treatment on Frazier Mountain in the Los Padres National Forest (CA)
Reduce wildfire risk by treating vegetation around existing facilities and widely used areas, restore forest diversity and health, and maintain the health of mature conifer stands and conifer plantations on Frazier Mountain in the Los Padres National Forest. Project will support a restoration team that will perform non-commercial thinning on 1,000 acres and fuels reduction on approximately 500 acres.
$212,273

The Student Conservation Association
Trail Restoration within the Jesusita Fire Scar in Los Padres National Forest (CA)
Repair fire-damaged trails within the Jesusita Fire burn area on the Los Padres National Forest. Project will support a trail team that will complete trail corridor brushing, repair trail tread, rebuild drainage structures, and rebuild rock walls that support and prevent trail degradation on steep slopes.
$73,334

The Trust for Public Land
Markham Elementary Green Schoolyard Demonstration Project (CA)
Transform the asphalt schoolyard at Markham Elementary School into a green space with stormwater best management practices, an outdoor laboratory, and other amenities for boosting ecological health and environmental literacy. Project will replace 21,000 square feet of pavement with 67 trees, 1,000 square feet of native landscaping and an 8,500 square foot drought-tolerant grass field and engage 200 volunteers and 350 elementary school students in hands on conservation and education.
$50,000

Trinity County Resource Conservation District
Improving Water Quality in the Headwaters of the South Fork Trinity River (CA)
Protect and improve water quality for anadromous fish habitat in the headwaters of the South Fork Trinity Watershed in the Shasta Trinity National Forest. Project will reduce road-related sediment delivery at 62 stream crossings, which will strengthen watershed resilience to storm damage, improve road infrastructure, and enhance water quality.
$230,999

Trout Unlimited
Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Core Grant 2020 (CA, OR, NV)
Continue to address the needs identified in the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout (LCT) Business Plan. Project will provide partner coordination, science guidance, and field crew activities, including LCT expansion, hybridization management/assessment, barrier retrofitting and design, and eDNA monitoring.
$582,702

Truckee River Watershed Council
Boca Meadows Restoration in the Truckee River Watershed (CA)
Restore disrupted hydrology, improve water quality, link existing and planned meadow restoration sites, and promote riparian habitat connectivity for willow flycatcher and other bird species in the Truckee River watershed. Project will restore 129 meadow acres, 1 stream mile, 5 acres of aspen habitat, and eliminate or reduce erosion from 26 road miles to improve watershed conditions.
$239,899

U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Bishop Field Office
Preventing Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions on Highway 395 (CA)
Benefit habitat for mule deer, enhancing their migratory corridors, winter ranges and summer ranges, and install signage to improve highway safety for motorist traveling through the Mono County, California. Project will improve 10 miles of fencing and install highway signage to significantly decrease wildlife-vehicle collisions.
$70,000

United Water Conservation District
Bird Surveys, Mapping, and Nonnative Cowbird Removal in Los Padres National Forest (CA)
Conduct habitat mapping, complete surveys, and manage nonnative cowbirds in riparian areas within Los Padres National Forest to provide data on sensitive riparian bird populations. Project will map breeding areas and trap cowbirds along Middle Piru Creek to assess the size and distribution of sensitive bird species such as least Bell’s vireo in order to inform future management decisions and protect existing populations.
$154,440

University of California - Davis
Assessing the Restoration of Ecosystem Services in Post-Fire Chaparral Landscapes (CA)
Assess and pilot restoration within the Piru fire scar in Los Padres National Forest. Project will collect data on ecosystem services to assess their impact on restored chaparral sites in comparison to unrestored sites to help inform restoration efforts related to ecosystem services.
$425,413

Ventura Audubon Society
Least Bell’s Vireo Range Expansion Surveys (CA)
Conduct least bell’s vireo surveys in native riparian habitat in northern coastal drainages each spring from 2020–2022. Project will help determine the current population of the state and federally endangered vireo in Ventura County and in a portion of Los Angeles County and will also determine if the vireo has expanded back into coastal portions of the historic range as well as evaluate cowbird threats and habitat condition.
$157,500

Watershed Research and Training Center
South Fork Trinity River Flow Restoration (CA)
Work with water diverters to engage in two temporary water lease transactions to return 3.9 cubic feet per second of stream flow to Big, Tule and Hayfork creeks. Project will monitor stream flow, stream temperature and aquatic biology before, during and after these water leases occur to determine impact of water returned.
$67,708

Yurok Tribe
Restoration Feasibility and Planning in Blue Creek, Lower Klamath River (CA)
Conduct priority planning to support development of comprehensive, feasible, and effective stream and floodplain restoration designs within 5.7 miles of Blue Creek. Project will enhance existing cold water habitats within a key salmonid spawning and rearing area, and increase floodplain connectivity and complexity to benefit species such as the ESA listed Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast Coho salmon.
$80,864

Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Evaluating and Enhancing Monarch Overwintering Habitat (CA)
Enhance the quality of critical overwintering habitat to help western monarch survival. Project will  evaluate the quality of 27 overwintering sites and provide recommendations for enhancement to land managers, develop site management plans for seven of the top 50 most important overwintering sites, enhance 32 acres at sites receiving management plans, and hold two workshops for 40 managers of overwintering sites.
$75,000

Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Providing Technical Assistance on Private Working Lands to Increase Monarch Conservation (CA)
Develop monarch conservation plans, provide technical assistance for habitat restoration projects on private working lands, and coordinate trainings and outreach on monarch conservation for landowners in California. Project will bring 500 acres under improved management, restore 100 acres of habitat, develop 36 conservation plans, conduct eight workshops and provide technical assistance to over 200 landowners.
$171,783