Habitat Conservation Fund

Grant Funds Available

  Are you looking for additional funds to complete your public outdoor recreation project?

  Do you need funds for interpretive programs that connect youth to the outdoors?

HCF - $2 million available annually
The HCF program allocates approximately $2 million each year for grants to cities, counties, and districts to provide for nature interpretation and other non-capital outlay programs which bring urban residents into park and wildlife areas, to protect various plant and animal species or to acquire or develop wildlife corridors and trails. 
 
Eligible Applicants:
  Cities
  Counties
  Districts (District - any regional park or open-space district formed pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Public Resources Code Section 5500) of Chapter 3 of Division 5 and any recreation and park district formed pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Public Resources Code Section 5780) of Division 5.  With respect to any community or unincorporated region (which is not included within a regional park or open-space district or a recreation and park district, and in which no city or county provides parks or recreational areas or facilities), "District" also means any other district which is 1) authorized by statute to operate and manage parks or recreational areas or facilities, 2) employs a full-time park and recreation director, 3) offers year-round park and recreation services on lands and facilities owned by the district, and 4) allocates a substantial portion of its annual operating budget to parks or recreation areas of facilities.

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INFORMATION RESOURCES
To assist potential applicants for the HCF Program funding cycle, the Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) created new information resources, in addition to those previously available. Website Links provides technical information for HCF applicants in responding to criteria.  The Frequently Asked Questions link is updated to provide answers to common questions about the HCF Program.

  HCF Fact Sheet

  Website Links

  HCF Category Chart

  Frequently Asked Questions - (Updated 3/18/2013)

HCF APPLICATION GUIDES

Submit Applications to:

California Department of Parks and Recreation
Office of Grants Local Services (OGALS)
1416 9th Street, Room 918  (P.O. Box 942896) 
Sacramento, California 95814  (94296-0001)

Applications must be postmarked by, or delivered to OGALS no later than the first workday in October.

Applicants will need to refer to the following HCF Application Guides to prepare application proposals:

  Deer/Mountain Lion Habitat: PDF / DOC   
     Deer and Mountain Lion Application Form
     Deer and Mountain Lion Cost Estimate Form

  Rare, Endangered, Threatened or Fully Protected Species Habitat: PDF / DOC    
     Rare, Endangered, Threatened or Fully Protected Species Application Form
     Rare, Endangered, Threatened or Fully Protected Species Cost Estimate Form

  Wetlands: PDF / DOC  
     Wetlands Application Form
     Wetlands Cost Estimate Form

  Anadromous Salmonids and Trout Habitat: PDF / DOC  
     Anadromous Salmonids and Trout Application Form
     Anadromous Salmonids and Trout Cost Estimate Form

Riparian Habitat: PDF / DOC 
   Riparian Application Form
    Riparian Cost Estimate Form

 Trails: PDF / DOC  
    Trails Application Form
    Trails Cost Estimate Form

 Wildlife Area Activities: PDF / DOC  
    Wildlife Application Form
    Wildlife Cost Estimate Form

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 Sample HCF Application Forms:

  Authorizing Resolution Form

  Cost Estimate Match Form

  CEQA Compliance Certification Form

  Aquisition Schedule Form

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GRANT ADMINISTRATION GUIDE (January 1, 2012)  PDF / DOC

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Legislative Authority
The California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990; Proposition 117. 

Program Overview
The Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF) Program allocates approximately $2 million per year to the California Department of Parks and Recreation for grants to cities, counties, and districts to provide for nature interpretation and other non-capital outlay programs which bring urban residents into park and wildlife areas, to protect fish, wildlife and native plant resources or to acquire or develop wildlife corridors and trails.  The HCF Program sunsets in FY 2019/2020.

Maximum and Minimum Grant Request
There is no maximum or minimum grant request amount limit.

Match Requirement and Sources
There is a required non-state dollar-for-dollar match.  Eligible match sources include local, federal, or  private funds, or donated materials and services.

Partnership Opportunities
The Habitat Conservation Fund Program encourages applicants to develop partnerships or cooperative agreements with such entities as federal, state, and local parks, non-profit organizations, local business groups, and schools, to maximize project opportunities and funding strategies.

Program Contacts
Any questions about the HCF Program on the application process may be directed to Supervisor Dian Chun at dchun@parks.ca.gov or (916) 651-8600

Previous Procedural Guides:

Draft Procedural Guide (Dated 2007):
(Valid for applications submitted in 2007 through 2009)
 (PDF DOC  |  MS DOC)

Procedural Guide (Dated 1997):
(Valid for applications submitted in 2006 and earlier) 
 (PDF DOC  |  MS DOC)

HCF Funded Projects:

2012/13 Funding Recommendations

2011/12 Funding Recommendations

2010/11 Funding Recommendations