Wildlife Conservation Board

What Wildlife Conservation Board does

The California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) is a state government grant-making agency created by the Wildlife Conservation Law of 1947 (Fish and Game Code Section 1300 et seq.) and operating under the California Natural Resources Agency. Headquartered in Sacramento with 27 staff, WCB administers nearly 20 conservation programs spanning land acquisition (fee title and conservation easements on a willing-seller basis), habitat restoration and enhancement (wetlands, riparian, forest, rangeland, oak woodlands, pollinator, desert, stream flow, climate adaptation), and wildlife-oriented public access. Funding flows through voter-approved bond measures (Proposition 4 in 2024 providing over $1 billion; Proposition 68 in 2018 authorizing up to $275 million; Proposition 1 in 2014 authorizing $200 million; Proposition 84 in 2006), the $30 million/year Habitat Conservation Fund (Proposition 117, through 2030), Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund allocations, and state general fund appropriations such as the $100 million under Senate Bill 170.

WCB's operational architecture pairs a quarterly board approval cycle with a structured grant process now running through the SmartSimple-based WCB Project Portal launched March 6, 2026, which replaces email-based submissions and handles pre-application through close-out. A Monitoring Program oversees more than 1,500 conservation projects and conducts approximately 100 site visits annually. Biological expertise is supplied by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), which evaluates acquisition candidates and for which WCB acquires real property; CDFW Director Meghan Hertel joined WCB's board in February 2026. Strategic direction is set by the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, aligning WCB with California's 30x30, Outdoors for All, and Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets.

Eligible applicants include federal, state, and local public agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organizations, California tribes, and willing private landowners. Recent project approvals include $80.4 million (May 2026) and $59.6 million (February 2026) for wildlife connectivity, salmon recovery, biodiversity, and public access projects, plus cumulative allocations such as the $134 million to 128 Stream Flow Enhancement projects from 2016-2021 and $11 million to 17 Lower American River Conservancy projects from 2018 to February 2026. WCB does not sell products or services and has no commercial revenue model; its pricing model is grant funding distributed to eligible applicants for conservation outcomes.

Name

Wildlife Conservation Board

Legal name

California Wildlife Conservation Board

Website

https://wcb.ca.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The California Wildlife Conservation Board is a Sacramento-based state agency created in 1947 that administers nearly 20 grant programs for land acquisition, habitat restoration, and public access across California, funding projects for public agencies, tribes, nonprofits, and willing landowners via voter-approved bond measures and state appropriations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Bond Funding - Proposition 4: The Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 provides funding to protect and enhance fish and wildlife resources and habitat. WCB is slated to receive over $1 billion in funds.
2. Bond Funding - Proposition 1: Water Quality, Supply and Infrastructure Improvement Fund of 2014 authorized $200 million to WCB for stream flow enhancement projects.
3. Bond Funding - Proposition 68: California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018 authorized up to $275 million for projects including land acquisition, habitat restoration, and public access.
4. Bond Funding - Proposition 84: Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006 authorizes funding for natural resource protection and restoration.
5. Habitat Conservation Fund: California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990 (Proposition 117) created the HCF with required annual transfer of $30 million until 2030 for acquiring, restoring, and enhancing habitat.
6. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program created by AB109 in 2017 using GGRF funds for local assistance for conservation projects focusing on climate resilience. Additional GGRF funds provided in 2023.
7. Senate Bill 170 (State General Fund): Budget Act of 2021 allocated $100 million from state general fund to enhance instream flow for protecting fish and wildlife.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

WCB is a California state grant-making agency that provides funds to eligible public agencies, non-profit organizations, tribes, and willing private landowners for the protection, restoration, and enhancement of wildlife habitat, acquisition of conservation lands, and provision of wildlife-oriented public access. It administers nearly 20 distinct conservation programs and operates the WCB Project Portal, an online grants management platform launched in March 2026.

Product overview

The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) is a California state grant-making agency that operates nearly 20 distinct conservation programs rather than a unified software product. These programs fall into three main categories: Land Acquisition (fee title and conservation easements), Restoration and Development (habitat enhancement, stream flow, wetlands, forest, riparian, desert, agricultural lands, and climate adaptation), and Public Access (wildlife-oriented recreation infrastructure). The organization launched the WCB Project Portal in March 2026 as a SmartSimple-based online grants management platform replacing email submissions. Supplementary tools include the WCB Project Map (interactive mapping) and WCB Approved Projects StoryMap (ArcGIS-based visual storytelling). All programs support California's conservation goals including the 30x30 initiative to conserve 30 percent of lands by 2030.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Land Acquisition Program Acquires real property or rights in real property on behalf of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, or grants funds to other governmental entities or nonprofit organizations for land acquisition on a willing-seller basis at fair market value.
• Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Program (HERP) WCB's first program, supporting habitat restoration across coast, wetland, and grassland habitats, wildlife corridors, and fisheries enhancements such as fish ladders and barrier removal throughout California.
• Stream Flow Enhancement Program (SFEP) Funds projects that enhance stream flows across California to benefit fish and wildlife, including water transactions, water conservation, habitat restoration, and stream flow gauging.
• Public Access Program Provides planning and implementation funds to support wildlife-oriented recreation opportunities including multi-lingual interpretive signs, trails, ADA parking and restrooms, community outreach, and interpretive programs.
• Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program Provides funding for conservation projects focusing on resilience to projected climate impacts, using Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) dollars.
• Desert Conservation Program Protects, preserves, and restores natural, cultural, and physical resources of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts region through land acquisition, restoration, and management projects.
• Forest Conservation Program Promotes ecological integrity and economic stability of California's diverse native forests through planning, acquisition, and restoration projects including meadow restoration, forest thinning, post-fire restoration, and aspen stand enhancement.
• Inland Wetlands Conservation Program (IWCP) Supports the Central Valley Joint Venture's mission to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands and associated habitats on the Central Valley floor from Red Bluff to Bakersfield through land acquisition, conservation easements, and habitat restoration.
• Oak Woodlands Conservation Program Provides funding for landowners, conservation organizations, cities and counties to conserve and restore California's oak woodlands, supporting both habitat protection and rancher partnerships.
• Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Rescue Program Provides grants and technical assistance to restore breeding habitat, overwintering habitat, and seasonal or temporary habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators.
• California Riparian Habitat Conservation Program Develops coordinated conservation efforts to protect and restore California's riparian ecosystems, including vegetation restoration and floodplain connectivity, funded through the Habitat Conservation Fund.
• Rangeland, Grazing Land and Grassland Protection Program Protects California's rangeland, grazing land and grassland through conservation easements to prevent conversion to nonagricultural uses, supporting long-term sustainability of livestock grazing, wildlife habitat, and water quality.
• San Joaquin River Conservancy Program WCB administers projects for the San Joaquin River Conservancy, including project review and approval, grant execution and management, real estate transactions, and project monitoring, creating the San Joaquin River Parkway.
• Lower American River Conservancy Program Provides grants to local agencies and nonprofits to restore, enhance, interpret, protect, and improve public access to the American River Parkway's natural, recreational, educational, and cultural resources.
• Ecosystem Restoration on Agricultural Lands (ERAL) Program Collaborates with the agricultural community to implement projects providing long-term habitat benefits for wildlife while supporting landowner economic sustainability, on privately owned agricultural land with willing property owners.
• WCB Monitoring Program Monitors the status and trend of protected and restored lands in which WCB has a proprietary interest, visiting approximately 100 past projects annually to evaluate project compliance and continued meeting of intent and strategic plan goals.
• WCB Project Portal Online grants management platform built on SmartSimple that streamlines the WCB grant process from pre-application through grant award and final close-out, with guidance materials, training, FAQs, and help desk support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Stream Flow Enhancement Program granted approximately $134 million to 128 projects from 2016-2021
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCB works in close partnership with CDFW, which provides biological expertise to help recommend and prioritize projects. CDFW evaluates the biological values of properties through land acquisition evaluations. WCB acquires real property on behalf of CDFW. Meghan Hertel, Director of CDFW, joined WCB in February 2026.
• Natural Resources AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCB is part of the California Natural Resources Agency. Board meetings are held at the Natural Resources Agency building. The agency provides oversight and alignment with statewide conservation priorities.
• Central Valley Joint VenturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCVJV is a partnership of twenty-two public and private organizations working to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands and associated habitats. WCB's Inland Wetlands Conservation Program was created to assist CVJV in its mission.
• Save the Redwoods LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSave the Redwoods League acquired San Vicente Redwoods through a conservation easement funded by WCB. The property provides public access to nature in the Santa Cruz mountains.
• Land Trust of Santa Cruz CountymajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplemented the San Vicente Redwoods Public Access Trails project with WCB funding, including 8 miles of new trails, ADA accessible trail, interpretive signage, and parking.
• Smith River AlliancemajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOwns and operates Rock Creek Ranch. Received WCB grant in 2023 to construct ADA-accessible restroom, well, water storage, and interpretive panels. Serves school groups and youth camps from low-income communities.
• San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit partner that owns public lands in the San Joaquin River Parkway alongside SJRC, City of Fresno, County of Fresno, State Lands Commission, CDFW, and Fresno County Office of Education.
• River PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization that produced the Riparian Habitat Restoration Handbook referenced by WCB's California Riparian Habitat Conservation Program.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• California State Coastal Conservancy: California state agency that awards grants for coastal land acquisition, restoration, and public access. Directly comparable to WCB as a peer California Natural Resources Agency entity using bond funding for conservation grantmaking, with overlapping mandate on public access and habitat protection. A former WCB board member (Karyn Gear) spent 26 years there.
• Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO): Statewide trust fund in Colorado created by voter-approved lottery proceeds, awarding grants for conservation, parks, and wildlife. Highly comparable as a state-level conservation grantmaking body funded by voter mandate, with a similar programmatic model to WCB.
• Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office: Washington state agency that administers grants for habitat conservation, outdoor recreation, and salmon recovery from state and federal sources. Comparable state grantmaking mission with overlapping programs (salmon, wildlife, public access).
• California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW): California's primary wildlife management agency and WCB's closest institutional partner. CDFW provides biological expertise to WCB and is the recipient entity for many WCB-acquired properties; the two agencies jointly execute conservation programs across California.
• Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB): Oregon state agency that funds watershed restoration, salmon recovery, and habitat protection through grants. Comparable state-level grantmaking structure with lottery and bond funding, focused on similar habitat and stream flow restoration work.

Broad incumbents

• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF): Federally chartered nonprofit that awards grants for fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation nationally. Operates at a much larger scale across the U.S. with similar grantmaking model, frequently partnering with state agencies including California entities.
• The Nature Conservancy (California): Global nonprofit that acquires and manages conservation land, frequently partnering with WCB (e.g., Save the Redwoods League, Land Trust of Santa Cruz County). While nonprofit rather than governmental, it executes many of the same conservation outcomes that WCB funds.
• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit focused on land conservation and park creation, working with public agencies (including California entities) on acquisition funding and conservation easements. Comparable mechanism to WCB's land acquisition program.

Emerging players

• Save the Redwoods League: California-based nonprofit specializing in redwood forest conservation and public access. Partnered with WCB on the San Vicente Redwoods acquisition, representing a delivery organization that complements WCB's grant funding with private fundraising and land stewardship.
• Central Valley Joint Venture: Public-private partnership of 22 organizations focused on Central Valley wetlands and habitat. Directly comparable as WCB partners with CVJV through the Inland Wetlands Conservation Program, addressing overlapping wetland conservation priorities in California.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/californiawcb
• Facebookfacebook.com/WildlifeConservationBoard
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wildlife-conservation-board
• Instagraminstagram.com/wildlifeconservationboard

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wildlife Conservation Board