California Department of Conservation

The Department of Conservation has released draft Climate Bond Guidelines for the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity (RFFC) Program and is accepting public comment through July 21, 2026.

The draft guidelines outline how Climate Bond funding may be administered through the RFFC Program and will help inform future program implementation.

How to participate:
• Review the draft guidelines
• Submit comments to [email protected]
• Sign up to receive program updates and workshop information

Virtual workshops will be held in July 2026. Dates and registration details will be posted on our website and shared through the RFFC email list.

Public feedback received during the 45-day comment period will help inform development of the final guidelines.

Visit the RFFC website to review the draft guidelines and learn more. https://conservation.ca.gov/dlrp/grant-programs/Pages/Regional-Forest-and-Fire-Capacity-Program.aspx

Sign up for updates: https://forms.office.com/g/NYXhcDWZ0y

CA Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force

The California Department of Conservation is seeking an Associate Environmental Planner (Grant Manager) to support the implementation of grant-funded conservation and sustainability projects throughout California.

This position works closely with grantees, local partners, Tribal communities, and state agencies to support project delivery, environmental compliance, program development, and stakeholder engagement.

Key responsibilities include:
• Managing grant agreements and project implementation
• Reviewing environmental documentation and reporting
• Supporting project monitoring and performance tracking
• Assisting with program development and continuous improvement
• Conducting outreach and stakeholder engagement

Join a team working to advance conservation, resilience, and sustainable land management across California.

Apply by 6/11/26: https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=519075

California Council of Land Trusts
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
California Farmland Trust
California Council of Land Trusts
The Nature Conservancy in California
California Climate Investments

🎉 A moment to celebrate - the first affordable housing complex for seniors coming to the City of Coachella!

🏡 52 new affordable homes in the future development broke ground this week - and this project is community-led and -driven!

“The Casa Sienna development is a prime example of how our Transformative Climate Communities Program empowers our most pollution-burdened communities to transform their neighborhoods,” said Erin Curtis, Executive Director of the California Strategic Growth Council, which administers the TCC Program in partnership with California Department of Conservation. “Affordable senior housing connected to services and amenities not only benefits seniors but also strengthens the broader community they call home. Today’s groundbreaking is the result of partnerships at all levels and community-led and -centered efforts to build thriving, resilient neighborhoods.”

California’s Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program, a partnership between the California Strategic Growth Council and the California Department of Conservation, contributed $7.7 million toward the project - part of $22 million awarded to Coachella Prospera.

TCC empowers the communities most impacted by pollution to choose their own goals, strategies, and projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution.

→ Read the full press release: bit.ly/tcc_casa_sienna
→ Learn more about TCC: sgc.ca.gov/grant-
programs/tcc/

Good news for the land north of Yosemite!

In March, Mother Lode Land Trust completed the acquisition of the final 315 acres of Long Gulch Ranch — permanently protecting 890 contiguous acres of meadows, oak woodlands, springs, and mixed conifer forest just north of Yosemite National Park.

This milestone was made possible by a SALC Program grant paired with a grant from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, enabling the purchase of grazing lands that support an expanded cattle operation alongside conservation.

The property supports Great Gray Owl habitat, watershed health, and wildfire resilience — and will open up to 5 miles of new trails connecting to the Tuolumne River system and Yosemite, expanding public access to the outdoors.

https://conservation.ca.gov/dlrp/grant-programs/SALCP

Our April Conservation Catch-Up newsletter is here!

Check out the brand-new Sierra Nevada Earth Science Atlas, milestones, new rangeland conservation easements, the return of California Geology Magazine, & more.

Read/subscribe:
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Conservation-Catch-Up.html?soid=1138598269161&aid=-po7bBnt3F4

PROJECT CLOSED: DRY CREEK RANCH ✅
📍 Merced County, CA

The California Rangeland Trust is proud to announce the permanent conservation of more than 1,300 additional acres at Dry Creek Ranch in Merced County—bringing the total protected land to over 5,700 acres.

In a time when the U.S. is losing more than 5,000 acres of agricultural land every day, efforts like this matter more than ever.

For the Richards family—now spanning four generations—this isn’t just land. It’s legacy. Since 1975, they’ve stewarded Dry Creek Ranch with care, and today, they’ve ensured it will remain a working cattle ranch, thriving habitat, and open space forever.

This project was supported through funding from the Bureau of Reclamation’s Central Valley Project Conservation Program, the Gov. Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation , and the California Department of Conservation.