Sacramento, Calif. June 8, 2017 – The California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) today announced selections for $2.6M in funding for 19 local park projects under the Habitat Conservation Fund Program. The grants assist cities, counties and districts with projects such as protection of various plant and animal species, acquisition and development of wildlife corridors and trails, and nature interpretation programs to bring urban residents into park and wildlife areas.

The California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990 defines the Habitat Conservation Fund, which will continue annually through June 2020. The state-funded program is administered by DPR’s Director via the Office of Grants and Local Services. Application workshops were provided to interested entities to learn about the program, application requirements and tips for preparing application criteria responses. The competitive applications were evaluated by the department based on eligibility and the project proposal criteria.

This year’s grantees include:

Cities

Anaheim: Gramercy Trail Restoration

  • Amount: $147,394
  • Project Description: Construct approximately 550 linear feet of multi-use trail including retaining walls, soil erosion control, habitat restoration, interpretive and wayfinding signage at Gramercy Park.

Big Bear Lake: Alpine Path Serrano Section Rehabilitation

  • Amount: $200,000
  • Project Description: Rehabilitate approximately 4,700 linear feet of trail on the North Shore of Big Bear Lake

Burlingame: Mills Canyon Trail Improvements

  • Amount: $50,000
  • Project Description: Rehabilitate approximately 7,814 linear feet of trail (e.g. improve drainage, access, slope and width), remove invasive plant species, and restore/add interpretive signage.

Davis: South Fork Preserve Public Accessibility Improvements

  • Amount: $229,175
  • Project Description: Construct approximately 2,500 linear feet of new trail, improve approximately 650 linear feet of existing trail, construct a new boardwalk and observation deck, and add interpretive signage.

Elk Grove: Lower Laguna Creek Open Space Trail

  • Amount: $100,000
  • Project Description: Construct approximately 9,100 linear feet of trail and an education area including interpretive signage and observation area.

Huntington Beach: Central Park Trail Rehabilitation

  • Amount: $35,000
  • Project Description: Restore a portion of the Central Park Multi-Purpose Trail and install interpretive signage.

Riverside, Parks & Recreation: Sycamore Canyon Park Acquisition

  • Amount: $250,000
  • Project Description: Acquire approximately five acres adjacent to Sycamore Canyon Park

Rolling Hills Estates: Junior Naturalist Program at George F. Canyon Preserve

  • Amount: $75,000
  • Project Description: Expand the Junior Naturalist Program and First Saturday Hikes by adding habitat restoration, volunteer opportunities and annual summer family picnic activities.

Sonoma: Sonoma Overlook Trail – Phase 1

  • Amount: $55,113
  • Project Description: Re-route and restore approximately 795 linear feet of trail and rehabilitate approximately 3,155 linear feet of trail.

Counties

Los Angeles, Parks: Catalina Island Wetlands Restoration

  • Amount: $130,000
  • Project Description: Restore approximately 114 acres of wetlands including removal of invasive plants and out planting of native plants (at one site) at four locations on Catalina Island.

San Diego, Parks & Recreation: San Vicente Connection Acquisition

  • Amount: $125,000
  • Project Description:  Acquire approximately 22 acres east of Poway in San Diego County.

San Luis Obispo: Discovering the Environment through Education and Recreation Program

  • Amount: $131,799
  • Project Description: An educational program featuring activities, interpretation and events such as the annual Outdoor Discovery Festival, Mid State Fair, onsite camping, school visit presentations and educational programs in various locations throughout San Luis Obispo County.

Santa Cruz, Parks: Parks Soquel Creek Acquisition

  • Amount: $243,608
  • Project Description: Acquire approximately 1.1 acres of riparian habitat including portions of Soquel Creek in the County of Santa Cruz.

Sonoma: McCormick Ranch Acquisition

  • Amount: $250,000
  • Project Description: Acquire 46.82 acres of McCormick Ranch near Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.

Yolo: Grasslands Regional Park Trail

  • Amount: $107,083
  • Project Description: Construct approximately 6,605 linear feet of standard trail and 1,122 linear feet of ADA trail, interpretive kiosk and signage, park entry sign, shade structures and minor amenities at Grasslands Regional Park.

Recreation Park Districts

Camp Meeker: Dutch Bill Creek Restoration

  • Amount: $5,000
  • Project Description: Restore approximately 1,000 feet of coho and steelhead habitat in Dutch Bill Creek in the County of Sonoma.

East Bay: Harrier Trail Improvements

  • Amount: $200,000
  • Project Description: Improve Harrier Trail to meet ADA standards and enhance wildlife interpretation opportunities near the city of Bay Point.

Greater Vallejo: Phenology Outdoor Education

  • Amount: $159,655
  • Project Description: Provide field trips for 3rd grade students at six separate sites in Solano County.

Mendocino Coast: MacKerricher State Park Boardwalk Rehabilitation

  • Amount: $134,317
  • Project Description: Rehabilitate approximately 1,840 linear feet of boardwalk trail including interpretive signage.

For more information about the Habitat Conservation Fund Program and other grant programs administered by the Office of Grants and Local Services, please visit http://www.parks.ca.gov/grants. You can also visit the Office of Grants and Local Services on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/caparkgrants.