Land Acquisition Program
The Land Acquisition Program supports government entities and nonprofits in acquiring California land and property rights to protect wildlife habitat and other conservation values.
Funder: Wildlife Conservation Board
Due Dates: Rolling (proposals)
Funding Amounts: No stated limit on funding requests; purchases cannot exceed appraised fair market value
Summary: Supports acquisitions of land and property rights to protect wildlife habitat and other conservation values in California.
Key Information: Acquisitions must be from willing sellers and supported by an appraisal approved by the Department of General Services.
Description
The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) administers land acquisition under the Wildlife Conservation Law of 1947. It acquires real property and property rights on behalf of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and awards acquisition grants to other governmental entities and nonprofit organizations. Projects may acquire fee title, conservation easements or, in some cases, separately held rights such as water rights.
WCB develops acquisition priorities with CDFW. CDFW evaluates a property’s biological values and recommends acquisitions for WCB funding, while the agencies reassess priorities as opportunities arise. All acquisitions are from willing sellers, with fair market value established through an appraisal approved by the Department of General Services.
