Best Grants for Land Conservation in California

The Conservation Partners Grant Program, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, supports private landowners in implementing regenerative agriculture and conservation practices. By awarding competitive grants, the program facilitates technical assistance for developing management plans and best practices, enabling landowners to maximize the ecological benefits of their lands. This initiative is crucial for enhancing fish and wildlife habitats, addressing pressing conservation issues, and promoting sustainable land stewardship across the United States.

Public agencies, federally recognized tribes, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in California can seek US $200,000 - US $5,000,000 for coastal land and habitat conservation, public access, and climate resilience projects. With a mission to protect and restore the coast, State of California Coastal Conservancy provides multi-stage funding from feasibility through construction and monitoring, prioritizing multi-benefit and disadvantaged community projects.

The Better Together Nature Positive Innovation Grant Program, administered by the PG&E Corporation Foundation, offers $100,000 grants for projects in five regions focused on environmental stewardship. Applications open on May 21, 2025, targeting land, air, and water quality initiatives. Priority is given to projects benefiting disadvantaged communities. In 2024, PG&E supported nearly 1,000 grants totaling over $36 million, demonstrating a commitment to community resilience and environmental sustainability.

The RMEF Grant Program lies at the core of advancing our mission.

RMEF established the program in 1986 to provide financial and logistical support to projects that align with our priorities and goals. Grant funds raised by RMEF members, volunteers and generous donors from across the country translate into significantly more conservation accomplishment when matched with partner funds. The RMEF Grant Program also aims to build recognition for RMEF’s work, grow engagement, and boost local fundraising efforts.

Governed by clear guidelines and criteria, the RMEF Grant Program seeks to foster meaningful collaborations and long-term impacts in the conservation of natural resources and outdoor traditions. Grant project partners include federal, state, local, and tribal wildlife and land management agencies, private landowners and local stakeholders, sportsmen and women, and conservation organizations, universities, foundations and the outdoor industry. Eligible projects primarily focus on habitat stewardship, land conservation and access, wildlife management, and hunting heritage.

We support organizations recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)3 entity, federal, state, local, or tribal government entities, sportsmen’s organizations, or educational institutions. All applicants must have a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued by the IRS. RMEF does not offer grants to individuals.

Land Conservation and Access

RMEF conserves critical big game habitat and migration corridors, while expanding and improving public access, including through land acquisitions and voluntary conservation agreements. RMEF's

2026 priorities include:

• Conserving migratory corridors and connecting landscapes through land conservation efforts
• Creating new or improved public access through access easements and agreements and state-run access programs

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

CDFW’s MISSION is to manage California's diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public.

Natural Community Conservation Planning Local Assistance Grant Program

Description

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife seeks proposals for highest priority projects associated with the implementation of an NCCP. The intention of this Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP) is to solicit proposals of the highest quality that are consistent with the goals of the NCCP Program. Proposals must address the highest priority tasks associated with the implementation of an NCCP such as:

• Management Activities: Immediate management actions on newly acquired NCCP reserve lands.
• Restoration/Enhancement: Restoration or enhancement of habitats or species populations on NCCP reserve lands.
• Monitoring: Design and implementation of biological monitoring programs identified in an NCCP, including the establishment of sampling methods, monitoring plots, data collection, management, and analysis.
• Reserve Management Plans: Development and implementation of individual reserve management plans.
• Mapping: New or updated mapping in support of NCCP management or monitoring activities, such as vegetation community mapping.
• Targeted Studies for Adaptive Management: Studies to evaluate management actions for covered habitats or species, and whether such actions are meeting stated goals or require adjustments through adaptive management.
• Other: Other non-land acquisition priority tasks, identified by the applicant and implementing partners, which are needed to ensure effective implementation of the NCCP.