2025 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: HCP Land Acquisition (Nontraditional Section 6)
Can you apply?
This grant is for states and their departments of fish and wildlife to acquire land or easements that protect endangered species habitat linked to approved Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs). Applicants must have an active, permitted HCP and coordinate with their CDFW Region before submitting. Proposals support fee simple land acquisition or permanent conservation easement purchases that conserve species habitat in perpetuity. This funding complements—not replaces—existing HCP mitigation commitments.
Grant awards range from $10,000 to $26,000,000. Cost sharing is required. Funded projects must advance species recovery and habitat connectivity across the landscape. All acquisitions must be tied to specific parcels and approved HCPs.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
This grant is for states and their departments of fish and wildlife to acquire land or easements that protect endangered species habitat linked to approved Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs). Applicants must have an active, permitted HCP and coordinate with their CDFW Region before submitting. Proposals support fee simple land acquisition or permanent conservation easement purchases that conserve species habitat in perpetuity. This funding complements—not replaces—existing HCP mitigation commitments.
Grant awards range from $10,000 to $26,000,000. Cost sharing is required. Funded projects must advance species recovery and habitat connectivity across the landscape. All acquisitions must be tied to specific parcels and approved HCPs.
Program description
The HCP Land Acquisition Grant program was designed to reduce conflicts between the conservation of listed species and competing land uses on specific parcels of land associated with approved and permitted HCPs. Under this program, the Service provides matching grants to states in support of land acquisition projects that will conserve species habitat in perpetuity through fee simple acquisition or the acquisition of permanent conservation easements. The Service considers the use of federal acquisition dollars by states for habitat protection associated with HCPs to be an important and effective mechanism to promote species recovery, prevent extinction, and preclude the need to list species under the ESA in the future. All land acquired through these grants complements, but does not replace, the mitigation, minimization, and/or monitoring commitments of the HCP. Thus, this work is additive to the conservation commitments entered into when HCPs are permitted and serves as a meaningful way to leverage non-federal investment in species recovery and connect conservation lands across the landscape. Contact your CDFW Region to coordinate on proposals. Proposals are submitted by mail to nccp@wildlife.ca.gov by CDFW Regions.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for states and their departments of fish and wildlife to acquire land or easements that protect endangered species habitat linked to approved Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs). Applicants must have an active, permitted HCP and coordinate with their CDFW Region before submitting. Proposals support fee simple land acquisition or permanent conservation easement purchases that conserve species habitat in perpetuity. This funding complements—not replaces—existing HCP mitigation commitments.
Grant awards range from $10,000 to $26,000,000. Cost sharing is required. Funded projects must advance species recovery and habitat connectivity across the landscape. All acquisitions must be tied to specific parcels and approved HCPs.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Completed proposal form (submitted by mail)
- Project narrative describing conservation goals and HCP alignment
- Cost-share documentation and funding sources
- Land appraisal or acquisition cost estimate
- Proof of perpetual conservation mechanism (fee title or easement language)
- CDFW Region coordination letter
Program contact
- 📧 NCCP@wildlife.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-594-4485
Funding track record
Past applications & awards under this program (California Grants Portal) — how competitive it is.
By fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Applications | Awarded | Award rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | 7 | — | 0% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
State fish and wildlife agencies with approved and permitted Habitat Conservation Plans. You must coordinate with your CDFW Region before submitting a proposal.
What can this funding support?
Fee simple land acquisition or permanent conservation easement purchases that protect endangered species habitat. Projects must be linked to specific HCPs and advance species recovery.
What is cost sharing?
Cost sharing is required. This grant provides matching funds, meaning your organization must contribute non-federal resources alongside the federal award.
How much funding is available?
Individual awards range from $10,000 to $26,000,000. The total program funding pool is $26,000,000. Awards depend on project scope and conservation value.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is November 13, 2024. Proposals are submitted by mail to nccp@wildlife.ca.gov. Contact your CDFW Region for early coordination.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Engage your CDFW Region early. Coordination before submission strengthens your proposal and clarifies HCP alignment.
- Clearly demonstrate how land acquisition advances species recovery beyond existing HCP commitments. Show additive conservation value.
- Develop a realistic cost-share plan. Identify local, state, or private funding sources to match federal investment.
- Document perpetual conservation through fee title or enforceable easement language. Permanence is critical to funding decisions.
- Connect your project to landscape-scale habitat goals. Show how the parcel links habitat and supports species connectivity across the region.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals that don't demonstrate how land acquisition goes beyond existing HCP mitigation commitments get rejected. Missing or weak cost-share plans significantly weaken competitiveness. Failure to engage CDFW Region early results in misaligned proposals and missed deadlines.
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