Desert Conservation Program
🏛 Wildlife Conservation Board (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Nov 1, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for wildlife rehabilitation organizations in California serving native wildlife. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to provide quality care, including proper facilities and staff training. Both facility-based and home-based wildlife rehabilitation programs are eligible.
The grant supports operational costs, facility improvements, and innovation in rehabilitation techniques. Applicants should show how funds will enhance animal care, enclosure design, behavioral enrichment, or post-release monitoring.
Conservation education activities related to wildlife rehabilitation are eligible expenses. Funds cannot support fundraising campaigns, raffles, donations, or hospitality expenses.
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Program description
The Desert Conservation Program includes the following actions: Protect, preserve, and restore the natural, cultural, and physical resources of the portions of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts region in California through the acquisition, restoration, and management of lands.Promote the protection and restoration of the biological diversity of the region. Provide for resilience in the region to climate change.Protect and improve air quality and water resources within the region.Undertake efforts to enhance public use and enjoyment of lands owned by the public. The Wildlife Conservation Board accepts pre-applications for acquisition, restoration, and management projects on a continuous basis. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to: Acquisition of land, especially parcels that are part of a wildlife movement corridor, contain water sources, have sacred or culturally significant tribal sites, protect listed species, or provide public accessRestoration of riparian and upland vegetationInvasive plant removal and control.Seed collection, processing, and propagationScientific studies, especially those that help aid in the recovery of listed species.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Grant application form
- Project narrative and budget narrative
- Facility information (licenses, certifications, capacity)
- Detailed budget with itemized expenses
- Evidence of nonprofit status (IRS 501(c)(3) determination or equivalent authorization)
Program contact
- 📧 amy.henderson@wildlife.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-926-9585
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 | 1 | 4 | 400% |
| 2025-2026 | 7 | 1 | 14% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Wildlife rehabilitation organizations and facilities operating in California. Both facility-based and home-based rehabilitation programs are eligible.
What can I use the grant funds for?
Operations, facility improvements, staff training, enrichment materials, enclosure design, post-release monitoring, and conservation education. You cannot fund fundraising, raffles, or hospitality.
What is the award range?
Individual grants range from $2,500 to $20,000. The total funding pool is $500,000.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required for this grant.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is September 25, 2024. Check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website for the 2025 application cycle opening date.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus your proposal on how funds will directly improve animal care quality or post-release survival rates. Reviewers prioritize demonstrated outcomes.
- Include detailed facility information or home-based setup details. Show proper licensing, staffing, and protocols for animal handling.
- Describe your innovation clearly—whether it's new enclosure design, behavioral enrichment methods, or monitoring techniques. Avoid vague language.
- Align expenses with allowed categories. Document how facility improvements or operational costs support rehabilitation directly.
- Start early on your application. Gather financial documentation, facility photos, and letters of support from veterinarians or conservation partners.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications lacking clear connection between proposed expenses and improved animal welfare outcomes. Proposals submitted with insufficient facility documentation or staff qualifications. Budgets that include ineligible categories like fundraising or general operating costs without direct rehabilitation benefit.
Similar grants
- ROLLING Desert Conservation Program — Wildlife Conservation Board (California)
- ROLLING Climate Adaptation and Resiliency — Wildlife Conservation Board (California)
- ROLLING Mojave Desert Tortoise Recovery — Department of Fish and Wildlife (California)
- ROLLING Public Access — Wildlife Conservation Board (California)
- ROLLING Habitat Enhancement and Restoration — Wildlife Conservation Board (California)