The California Natural Resources Agency is proud to announce the establishment of the new $100 million Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Program. This Program was developed in response to the consultations and input received from California Native American tribes during the tribal consultations on Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-82-20 (Nature-Based Solutions Executive Order), the Pathways to 30x30 Strategy, and Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy. The California Natural Resources Agency is committed to working towards meaningful partnerships with California Native American tribes in the implementation of our nature-based solutions policies and programs. The Tribal Nature-Based Solutions program and grant funds are part of this commitment and will be available to assist California Native American tribes in advancing multi-benefit nature-based solutions priorities for their communities.
In January 2023, the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) approved the disbursement of $1 million to establish a Tribal Small Grants Program to provide dedicated funding to California Native American tribes and tribally led entities in support of work that advances tribes’ priorities for conservation, management, and stewardship, as well as the goals in OPC’s Strategic Plan and Tribal Engagement Strategy. The OPC Tribal Small Grants program will be part of the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions program to assist California Native American tribes in advancing multi-benefit nature-based solutions in the coast and ocean.
To learn more about the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions logo, please read our blog post explaining the importance of protecting and respecting culturally important native species.
Nominations are Open for the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Technical Expert Panel
The California Natural Resources Agency is seeking nominations for the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Technical Expert Panel to establish a multidisciplinary evaluation team to review project proposals for the new Tribal Nature-Based Solutions grant program.
Nominations are due September 1, 2023.
Please fill out the below nomination form and submit the completed form to tribalaffairs@resources.ca.gov.
Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Technical Expert Panel Nomination Form
Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Grant Program is Open. Apply Today!
The California Natural Resources Agency is excited to announce the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions grant program is now live and we are currently accepting grant applications. Please see below for the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions grant guidelines, due dates and timelines, program application forms and templates, program webinars and office hours, and FAQ and additional resources. If you have any questions, please contact us at tribalaffairs@resources.ca.gov.
Tribal Nature-Based Solutions grant guidelines
Important Due Dates and Timelines for the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions
Time-Sensitive Shovel Ready Ancestral Land Return Projects
- July 31, 2023 - Solicitation Release
- August 1 – August 28, 2023 - Office Hours: Fridays from 2:00pm – 3:00pm
- August 28, 2023 - Deadline for Submitting Time-Sensitive Shovel Ready Applications by 5:00pm PST
- Early September, 2023 - Anticipated Notice of Proposed Award Posting Date
- Late September, 2023 – Anticipated Agreement Start Date
Standard Grant Process
- July 31, 2023 – Solicitation Release
- August 1, 2023 – February 6, 2024 - Office Hours: Fridays 2:00pm – 3:00pm
- September 29, 2023 - Deadline for Submitting Preliminary Project Proposals (Step 1) by 5:00pm PST
- October 23, 2023 - Anticipated Notice of Invitation to Submit Full Project Proposals (Step 2)
- February 6, 2024 - Deadline for Submitting Full Project Proposals Applications (Step 2) by 5:00pm PST February 6, 2024 – April 29, 2024 - Anticipated Timeline for Step 3-4 Review and Submission
- Early to Mid-May, 2024 – Anticipated Notice of Proposed Award Posting Date
- Mid-June to Early July, 2024 – Anticipated Agreement Start Date
To support applicants navigating the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions program, CNRA has developed the following application forms and templates based on each step of the grant program. Applicants are encouraged to read the entirety of the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions grant guidelines, as the full grant guidelines contain important information about the grant program.
- Time-Sensitive Shovel Ready Ancestral Land Return and Planning Project Proposal Application Form
- Time-Sensitive Shovel Ready Ancestral Land Return and Implementation Project Proposal Application Form
- Appendix D Cost Estimate Template Ancestral Land Return
- Appendix D Cost Estimate Template Implementation Form
- Appendix D Cost Estimate Template Planning Project Form
- Appendix F. 1 Resolution Template
- Appendix F. 2 Resolution Template
- Appendix I Willing Seller Letter Template
- Appendix J Property Data Sheet Template (Word)
- Appendix J Property Data Sheet Template (Excel)
- Appendix L Project Permit Approval Status Template
- Payee Data Record Form STD 204
- Step 2 Planning Project Proposal Application Form
- Step 2 Implementation Project Proposal Application Form
- Step 2 Ancestral Land Return and Planning Project Proposal Application Form
- Step 2 Ancestral Land Return and Implementation Project Proposal Application Form
- Appendix D Cost Estimate Template Ancestral Land Return
- Appendix D Cost Estimate Template Implementation Form
- Appendix D Cost Estimate Template Planning Project Form
- Appendix F. 1 Resolution Template
Applicants with the most competitive Step 2 Project Proposals will proceed to the next phase (Step 3), which involves a field visit or project presentation at the discretion of CNRA. At the field visit or during the project presentation, applicants should be prepared to respond to project-specific questions including, but not limited to, the cost estimate, funding, site plan, project goals, site control, community involvement, operations and maintenance, sustainability, partnerships, transportation, and any possible barriers to completion.
Applicants may be required to provide additional documentation about the project before being granted a field visit or provided an opportunity to present on their project.
- Step 4 Supporting Documentation Project Proposal Application Form
- Appendix F. 2 Resolution Template
- Appendix I Willing Seller Letter Template
- Appendix J Property Data Sheet Template (Word)
- Appendix J Property Data Sheet Template (Excel)
- Appendix L Project Permit Approval Status Template
- Payee Data Record Form STD 204
Please join the California Natural Resources Agency’s Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Grant Program webinars. During these webinars we will be discussing the application process, timelines, and be available to answer questions about the new grant program.
Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Grant Program Webinar 1:
Tue, Aug 01, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (PDT)
Please see below for the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Grant Webinar PowerPoint Presentation. We hope this is a helpful resource in navigating the grant program.
Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Grant Program Webinar 2:
Tue, Aug 08, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (PDT)
Register Here: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/02186bd4-a4a0-4d67-aa6a-99a615b824c1@b71d5652-4b83-4257-afcd-7fd177884564
Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Grant Program Webinar 3:
Wed, Aug 09, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM (PDT)
Register Here: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/e821dd1e-c12e-4ba1-b6e1-007b05eb181a@b71d5652-4b83-4257-afcd-7fd177884564
The California Natural Resources Agency is providing open virtual office hours every Friday from 2:00pm – 3:00pm (PDT) from August 1, 2023 – February 06, 2024, excluding holidays.
To join the conversation during a virtual office hour, please use the below Teams video conferencing link or call in.
Join on your computer, mobile app, or room device:
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 277 595 347 46
Passcode: Nm28HS
Or call in (audio only)
+1 916-573-2034,,6256176# United States, Sacramento
Phone Conference ID: 625 617 6#
Additional Resources
Key Dates for the Grant Program
- August 28, 2023 - Deadline for Submitting Time-Sensitive Shovel Ready Applications by 5:00pm PST
- September 29, 2023 - Deadline for Submitting Preliminary Project Proposals (Step 1) by 5:00pm PST
- February 6, 2024 - Deadline for Submitting Full Project Proposals Applications (Step 2) by 5:00pm PST
