View the Program and Application Guidelines for the 2018-2019 Community Wetland Restoration Grant Program here to see if your organization and project are eligible and how to apply. For any questions, please contact Shawn Kelly of Earth Island Institute at skelly@earthisland.org or 805-628-9459.
The required Application Template can be found here. After downloading the template and completing the application, please use the Apply button on the right hand side of this page to submit.
The Community Wetland Restoration Grant Program (CWRGP) is a program of the Conservancy that provides funding annually for community-based restoration projects in coastal wetlands and watersheds in the Southern California region. The program provides annual funding for community-based restoration projects in coastal wetlands and watersheds in the Southern California region.
The purpose of CWRGP is to further the wetland recovery goals of the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project (WRP) Regional Strategy; build local capacity to plan and implement wetland restoration projects; promote community involvement in wetland restoration activities; and foster education about wetland ecosystems. Projects funded through the program must include educational and community involvement elements as strong components of the project.
Each year, CWRGP solicits proposals from nonprofit organizations, universities, tribes and agencies eligible to apply to the CWRGP. Proposals are reviewed by a technical advisory committee that includes staff from the Conservancy, Earth Island Institute, the Wildlife Conservation Board, and other WRP partner agencies. CWRGP typically funds 10 to 12 projects per year with an annual budget of approximately $300,000.
Over the past 16 years, the CWRGP has successfully completed 146 community-based projects with over $ 3.1 million spent on project implementation. Initiated by the State Coastal Conservancy, Earth Island Institute funded the CWRGP from 2002-2012. From 2012 to 2014, the State Coastal Conservancy and the Wildlife Conservation Board also funded the CWRGP. Earth Island Institute continued funding the Program in 2015 and 2016. Going forward, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the State Coastal Conservancy, and the Earth Island Institute will be funding the CWRGP for the next three years. The CWRGP welcomes partnerships with agencies, foundations, and individuals to bring new funding and resources to this critical and highly successful program.