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- By Tribal Business News Staff
- Energy | Environment
The state of California has awarded $44 million for 15 projects, including funding for a tribal organization to acquire 80 acres in Lake County for Indigenous-led ecological restoration, cultural programs and job training.
The Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance will acquire the Politsuwi property, located on the ancestral lands of the Robinson Rancheria, Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians and Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake. The property will expand the adjacent EcoCultural Stewardship Training and Demonstration Center and protect oak woodlands, wetlands and wildlife habitat.
The awards, announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office, were made through the California Wildlife Conservation Board and included $32 million from the voter‑approved 2024 Climate Bond. The funded projects span 11 counties and support the state’s goal of conserving 30% of its lands and coastal waters by 2023.
“These investments are about standing with tribes and communities, restoring the ecosystems we all depend on, and protecting the natural heritage of generations to come,” Newsom said in a statement.
Other awards include $11.5 million for The Wildlands Conservancy to acquire about 14,177 acres in Siskiyou County to expand the Beaver Valley Headwaters Preserve and protect salmon and steelhead habitat. The project connects more than 20,000 acres of mountain meadows, rivers, and forest habitat to protect Scott River salmon and steelhead runs, secure streamflow, and provide future wildlife-oriented public access.
The Tahoe Resource Conservation District received $4 million to restore 79 acres of meadow along the Upper Truckee River, Lake Tahoe’s largest tributary. Mojave Desert Land Trust received $7.5 million to acquire about 1,093 acres near Yucca Grove, permanently conserving habitat for the Mojave desert tortoise, Joshua tree woodlands and desert washes.
California says its tribal conservation programs have awarded more than $200 million toward returning more than 100,000 acres to Native American tribes in California.
