SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.— In 2016 alone, more than 5,700 wildfires burned across the state of California according to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. And despite record rain this winter, climate change is expected to increase the number of large wildfires as well as the length of the wildfire season in California. To help Californian communities meet this challenge, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) launched its Better Together Resilient Communities grant program today.

Through the program, PG&E will invest $1 million over five years – or $200,000 per year – in shareholder-funded grants to help communities better prepare for, withstand, and recover from extreme events and other risks related to climate change. This year, the company is calling for proposals that will build healthy and resilient forests and watersheds to help communities prevent and prepare for increasing wildfire risk.

“At PG&E, we believe adapting to the reality of climate change must include helping our communities to become more resilient to its many potential effects, such as the risk of wildfires. One way to do that is to work closely with our local partners, as well as those at the state and federal level, to support the best and most innovative ideas — with a particular focus on those who live in highly vulnerable areas,” said Geisha Williams, CEO and President of PG&E Corporation.

PG&E will award two grants of $100,000 through a competitive process. A panel of community and sustainability leaders, including the League of California Cities and members of PG&E’s Sustainability Advisory Council will play an advisory role with the program.

Strategies and solutions resulting from the grants will be made publicly available to help all communities, and encourage local and regional partnerships.

“Climate change is having extreme effects on our planet, and the state of California is facing increasing weather-related risks, including more frequent and more intense wildfires. I applaud PG&E for partnering with vulnerable communities on this science-based climate change resilience initiative. This new grant program will help Californians prepare for a future with more wildfires and other impacts from a changing climate,” said Dr. Jonathan Foley, Executive Director of the California Academy of Sciences and member of PG&E’s Sustainability Advisory Council.

“We’re delighted to see PG&E taking this leadership role in helping protect California’s communities from wildfire.  As we work to ensure a safe, sustainable environment for our firefighters, their families, and our communities, it is essential to gain a better understanding of how to reduce the risks climate change and wildfires pose to lives and property,” said Lou Paulson, President, California Professional Firefighters.

“Extreme weather and climate change are threatening the safety of communities across central and northern California. With wildfire and other risks increasing to historic levels, we must generate innovative, collaborative solutions to succeed. We applaud PG&E for offering a program that focuses on these risks and encourages the collaboration needed to keep our communities safe now and in the years to come,” said Tom Trott, general manager of Twain Harte Community Services District.

Grant Criteria and Eligibility

Grant proposals will be assessed according to the following criteria:

• Partnerships: the extent to which the proposal reflects a collaborative effort among multiple organizations

• Replicability: the extent to which the proposal identifies how others can learn from and adopt the resulting strategies and solutions

• Assistance to disadvantaged communities: the extent to which the proposal addresses the identified needs of disadvantaged communities

• Measurable impact: the extent to which the proposal includes practical, measurable and innovative ways to address community needs and climate risks

To be eligible, applicants must be a governmental organization, educational institution or 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All applicants must include a local government within PG&E’s service area as a partner.

Learn more about the grants and how to apply at pge.com/resiliencegrants.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (“NFWF”) has announced the availability of more than $8M in funding for aquatic resources restoration projects within the Sacramento District California In-Lieu Fee Program Area (“ILF Program Area”), which spans 37 counties and 65,000 square miles within the State of California. NFWF intends to partner with public, private, and non-profit organizations to help fund and implement on-the-ground wetland and/or waters restoration (re-establishment or rehabilitation), establishment (creation), and/or enhancement projects. (In certain circumstances, preservation projects may be acceptable, but they are generally not preferred.) Projects may be stand-alone proposals or may be an identifiable component of a larger project.

In each case, the restoration, establishment, enhancement, and/or preservation benefits provided by the project must be clearly demonstrated and must meet all applicable requirements set forth in the 2008 Compensatory Mitigation for Losses of Aquatic Resources Final Rule (“2008 Rule”). These requirements are set forth in the 2008 Rule at 33 CFR Part 332.8(j) and 33 CFR Part 332.4(c)(2)-(14); and 40 CFR Part 230.98(j) and 40 CFR Part 230.94(c)(2)-(14).

The Request for Proposals has been updated and revised since the November 2016 release. We currently anticipate that proposals will be accepted and funds will be awarded on a semi-annual basis with two application cycles each calendar year. Application deadlines for the first funding cycle of 2017 are as follows:

Pre-Proposal due date: March 17, 2017

Full Proposal due date: April 21, 2017

For additional information on the ILF Program and how to apply for funding, please visit our RFP webpage at: http://www.nfwf.org/ilf/Pages/February2017_RFP.aspx.

For more information or questions about this Request for Proposals, please contact:

Chris Gurney
Wetland Program Director, Impact-Directed Environmental Accounts (IDEA)
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
90 New Montgomery Street, Suite 1010
San Francisco, CA  94105
Direct: (415) 593-7627
Fax: (415) 778-0998
Christopher.Gurney@nfwf.org

Click here for the California Financing Coordinating Committee Funding Fair 2017 Schedule.

CFCC agencies fund the following types of eligible infrastructure Projects:

• Drinking Water
• Wastewater
• Water Conservation
• Water Use Efficiency
• Water Quality
• Energy Efficiency
• Water Supply
• Flood Management

April 5, 2017
California Rural Water Association
1234 North Market Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95834
Workshop will be Webcast.
Access link will be on the CFCC Website at:
http://www.cfcc.ca.gov/funding_fairs.htm

May 2, 2017
8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Agency Presentations:
Shasta Public Libraries
Redding Library, Community Room
1100 Parkview Ave.
Redding, CA 96001

Upcoming grants that might be of interest:

• The Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Phase II Grants (due February 15) provide up to $100,000 to address critical water supply needs, water quality, and ecological resilience. The purpose of this program is to support established watershed groups in implementing on-the-ground watershed management projects.
• The Rose Foundation California Wildlands Grassroots Fund (due February 15) provides funding to grassroots conservation organizations advocating for the permanent protection of intact wildlands to help preserve California’s wilderness and native biological diversity. The Fund’s program includes support for restoration and stewardship.
• Strong Foundation grants (due February 15) support efforts that instill an ecological ethic in individuals and communities, and that encourage grassroots environmental action.
• The California Arts Council Local Impact Grant Program (due February 17) provides project and partnership support for small arts organizations reaching communities that have limited access to the arts, including rural areas.
• The Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Programs (due March 6) provide funding for planning, development, maintenance, and restoration of motorized recreational trails.
• The Farmers Market Promotion Program grants (due March 27) support the development, improvement, and expansion of farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, and agritourism activities.
• The Federal Lands Access Program (due April 7) develops transportation and infrastructure projects (roads, parking, bike trails, etc.) that provide access to federal public lands, particularly those with high recreation use.
• The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation In-Lieu Fee Program helps fund on‑the-ground wetland restoration, establishment, and enhancement projects in priority service areas. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Your SNC Area Representative can help you set up an individual consultation with the SNC Funding Team to get advice about specific funding opportunities or general fund development strategies. To take advantage of this resource, contact your Area Representative.

Sierra Nevada Conservancy Funding Opportunities Newsletter