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Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program Public Lands Funding 2026-27

Grantor:
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Portal ID:
160032
Status:
Active
Opportunity Type:
  • Grant
Last Updated:
Categories:

Details

Purpose:

The Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program’s (NBHIP) Public Land Program is designed to provide assistance to state Wildlife Areas and National Wildlife Refuges to improve the quantity and quality of upland habitat for the benefit of nesting waterfowl, game birds and pollinators.

Description:

Public land projects funded through NBHIP may include the cultivation or retention of upland cover such as annual nesting cover or perennial native grasses and forbs, or management activities to improve the quality of perennial grass habitats such as managing noxious weeds and other undesirable plants. Any project that is funded by NBHIP will be required to leave the upland cover habitat unmanipulated (e.g., no discing, spraying herbicides, mowing, chopping, or rolling of vegetation) during the nesting season (April 1 – July 15). Furthermore, to be selected all projects must provide and maintain summer water habitats within one mile of the enhancement areas.

To accomplish the objectives of this program, the Department is authorized to enter into grants or contracts with public and private entities, including nonprofit organizations, and California Native American tribes to help the department implement the program and improve breeding waterfowl and other upland game bird habitats in California (Fish and Game Code § 3480 “…the department may carry out the game bird breeding habitat purposes of the Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program on State Wildlife Areas and National Wildlife Refuges when necessary and as the department deems appropriate…”) The organizations must have the specific capacity (waterfowl habitat enhancement, native grass restoration, upland habitat creation or agricultural and farming experience to deliver the objectives).

Examples of eligible projects are limited to the following categories:

1.    Maintenance of existing perennial grass habitat for breeding waterfowl

2.    Restoration and enhancement of existing perennial grass habitat for breeding waterfowl

3.    Establishment of new perennial native grass and forb habitat for breeding waterfowl

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:

  • Business
  • Individual
  • Nonprofit
  • Other Legal Entity
  • Public Agency
  • Tribal Government

Funding can only be used on public lands that are managed for wildlife (e.g. State Wildlife Areas or National Wildlife Refuges). The restoration or enhancement locations must also be able to provide summer water (from April 1 - August 1) within a half mile. 

Eligible Geographies:

Central Valley of California

Matching Funding Requirement:

While match is not required, projects that provide match funding will be awarded additional points in ranking and scoring. 

Important Dates

The date (and time, where applicable) by which all applications must be submitted to the grantmaker. Time listed as “00:00” equates to midnight.
The date on which the grantor expects to announce the recipient(s) of the grant.
April 10 2026
The length of time during which the grant money must be utilized.
Three years

Funding Details

The total projected dollar amount of the grant.
$850,000
A single grant opportunity may represent one or many awards. Some grantors may know in advance the exact number of awards to be given. Others may indicate a range. Some may wish to and wait until the application period closes before determining how many awards to offer; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display.
Dependent
Grant opportunities representing multiple awards may offer awards in the same amount or in varied amounts. Some may wish to wait until the application period closes before determining per-award amounts; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display.
Dependent
Certain grants require that the recipient(s) provide a letter of intent.
No
Certain grants require that the recipient(s) be able to fully or partially match the grant award amount with another funding source.
No
The funding source allocated to fund the grant. It may be either State or Federal (or a combination of both), and be tied to a specific piece of legislation, a proposition, or a bond number.
  • State

Funding Source Notes:

The Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program was established with Assembly Bill (AB) 2697 and was designed to address declines in locally breeding waterfowl and ring-necked pheasant populations. Although the NBHIP was established in Code (Section 3480, Fish and Game Code) in 2018, the program was not funded until the passing of AB 614 in October 2021, which created a $10 surcharge for the upland game bird and state duck hunting validations. 

The manner in which the grant funding will be delivered to the awardee. Funding methods include reimbursements (where the recipient spends out-of-pocket and is reimbursed by the grantor) and advances (where the recipient spends received grant funds directly).
  • Reimbursement(s)

Funding Method Notes:

Funding will be provided through grants or contracts for work to be performed. 

How to Apply

State agencies/departments recommend you read the full grant guidelines before applying.

Resources

For questions about this grant, contact:
Luke Matthews, 1-916-539-3654, luke.matthews@wildlife.ca.gov

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