Under the Watershed Improvement Program, we issue grants to public agencies, nonprofits, and eligible tribes for projects that restore, protect, and enhance watersheds and communities in California’s Sierra Nevada-Cascade region. These grants are awarded through grant programs under four regional goals: Forest & Watershed Health, Strategic Land Conservation, Vibrant Recreation & Tourism, and Resilient Communities.
Forest & Watershed Health
Not accepting concept proposals at this time.
The Forest & Watershed Health regional goal aims to restore and protect the ecological health and resilience of watersheds and forests within our service area.
The Wildfire Recovery and Forest Resilience Directed Grant Program supports the planning and implementation of forest health projects that promote wildfire recovery and forest resilience.
Read the Wildfire Recovery and Forest Resilience Directed Grant Program Guidelines.
Application Details
Funding Source
The Program is funded through General Fund in the 2021 Budget Act directed towards supporting wildfire recovery and forest resilience priorities identified in California’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan: A Comprehensive Strategy. The current program cycle includes $23,750,000 available for Local Assistance grant awards.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants are:
- public agencies, including federal agencies
- qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
- tribal entities recognized on the current United States Federal Register or the Native American Heritage Commission as a California Native American tribe
To be eligible, projects must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be located within, or provide services to, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy service area
- Be consistent with the SNC mission and program areas as defined in the SNC Strategic Plan
- Result in a clear, demonstrable, and enduring public benefit
- Meet all California Environmental Quality Act and National Environmental Policy Act requirements, as applicable
Process & Schedule
- Applicants must contact the SNC Area Representative assigned to their county to determine whether a potential project meets the intent of the guidelines and is eligible for consideration.
- Concept Proposals will be accepted through 5 p.m. on July 29, 2022.
- Mandatory site visits will be conducted for all implementation projects, with all site visits complete by October 7, 2022.
- For those projects invited, Full Proposals will be accepted through 5 p.m. on October 28, 2022.
- Grants will not be awarded before March 2023.
Strategic Land Conservation
Now accepting proposals, due by 5pm on March 20, 2023.
The Strategic Lands Conserved regional goal aims to permanently protect high-benefit lands that are threatened with conversion, represent unique natural characteristics, or are critical for resilience to climate change.
The SNC is administering the Strategic Land Conservation Directed Grant Program to support land conservation projects that improve public access and protect lands threatened by conversion to development, particularly lands with significant cultural or natural values and those that provide critical resilience to climate change. Planning and implementation projects for both fee title and conservation easement acquisition are eligible.
Read the Strategic Land Conservation Directed Grant Program Guidelines.
The current grant cycle will be administered as an expedited cycle, modified from the process outlined in the Grant Guidelines. Modifications from the grant guidelines are:
- one proposal rather than a concept proposal and full proposal
- site visits are not required but may take place as needed
- appraisals are not required at time of application, though grant awards would be contingent upon recent appraisals approved by the Department of General Services
Projects must be developed in collaboration with SNC. Contact your SNC Area Representative to discuss project ideas.
Application Details
Funding Source
The Program is funded through state budget appropriations directed towards supporting nature-based solutions that address the state’s multi-faceted climate risks and related State Conservancy priorities. Grant awards are contingent upon funding availability.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants are:
- public agencies, including federal agencies
- qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
- tribal entities recognized on the current United States Federal Register or the Native American Heritage Commission as a California Native American tribe
To be eligible, projects must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be located within the Sierra Nevada Conservancy service area.
- Be consistent with the SNC mission and program areas as defined in the SNC Strategic Plan and the Watershed Improvement Program (WIP).
- Result in a clear, demonstrable, and enduring public benefit.
- Engage willing sellers only.
- Be consistent with applicable city or county General Plan.
Process & Schedule
- Applicants must contact the SNC Area Representative assigned to their county to determine whether a potential project meets the intent of the guidelines and is eligible for consideration.
- Proposals will be accepted through 5pm on March 20, 2023.
- Site visits may be conducted for implementation projects, as needed.
- Grants will not be awarded before June 2023.
Vibrant Recreation & Tourism
Now accepting proposals, due by 5pm on March 20, 2023.
The Vibrant Recreation & Tourism regional goal aims to enhance, promote, and develop sustainable recreation and tourism opportunities in our service area.
The SNC is administering the Vibrant Recreation & Tourism Directed Grant Program, to support planning and implementation efforts to enhance and develop sustainable recreation and tourism opportunities and increase access to public lands.
Read the Vibrant Recreation & Tourism Directed Grant Program Guidelines.
The current grant cycle will be administered as an expedited cycle, modified from the process outlined in the Grant Guidelines. Modifications from the grant guidelines are:
- one proposal rather than a concept proposal and full proposal
- site visits are not required but may take place as needed
Projects must be developed in collaboration with SNC. Contact your SNC Area Representative to discuss project ideas.
Application Details
Funding Source
The Program is funded through state budget appropriations directed towards supporting nature-based solutions that address the state’s multi-faceted climate risks and related State Conservancy priorities. Grant awards are contingent upon funding availability.
Eligible applicants are:
- public agencies, including federal agencies
- qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
- tribal entities recognized on the current United States Federal Register or the Native American Heritage Commission as a California Native American tribe
To be eligible, projects must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be located within the Sierra Nevada Conservancy service area.
- Be consistent with the SNC mission and program areas as defined in the SNC Strategic Plan and the Watershed Improvement Program (WIP).
- Result in a clear, demonstrable, and enduring public benefit.
- Meet all California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements, as applicable.
Process & Schedule
- Applicants must contact the SNC Area Representative assigned to their county to determine whether a potential project meets the intent of the guidelines and is eligible for consideration.
- Proposals will be accepted through 5pm on March 20, 2023.
- Site visits may be conducted for implementation projects, as needed.
- Grants will not be awarded before June 2023
Resilient Communities
Not accepting proposals at this time.
The Resilient Communities regional goal aims to increase the environmental, economic, and social resilience of communities in our service area.
Contact
Contact your SNC Area Representative with questions and to discuss potential projects.
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