Published Date:
SACRAMENTO – The California Natural Resources Agency today announced $37 million in funding for 21 projects under its Cultural, Community and Natural Resources grant program funded by Proposition 68.
In 2018, California voters passed the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68), which directed $37 million to the Natural Resources Agency for competitive grants that protect and enhance natural, cultural, historic, park and community resources.
“These awards are a unique opportunity to help protect and celebrate important cultural resources while also building climate resiliency and expanding access to recreation,” California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot said. “We’re excited to support projects that enable communities to showcase traditional practices and promote sustainability.”
A few projects are highlighted below with the full list of projects following.
The City of Twentynine Palms was awarded $2 million to construct a dual-purpose building that will serve as a visitor center for Joshua Tree National Park and a cultural center and museum for the Twentynine Palms Chemehuevi and San Manual (Serrano) Bands of Mission Indians.
The center will showcase elements of the park's Campbell collection of prehistoric, historic and tribal artifacts, which date back 10,000 years to the earliest human habitation of the area known as the Pinto Basin Culture. The visitor center will also facilitate the goal of becoming a gateway to the Joshua Tree National Park.
The County of San Luis Obispo was awarded $1.9 million to rehabilitate and restore the historic Cass Warehouse, known as the Cayucos Veteran’s Hall, to serve as an important community center. The Warehouse will increase opportunities for community education and engagement programs, provide recreational amenities and public access to cultural resources, and serve as an economic center for the community. The Cass Warehouse is the oldest building in the original townsite and eligible for listing on the California Register of Historic Resources.
The Yurok Tribe was award $2.7 million to acquire 2,584 acres in Humboldt County, allowing it to continue to reclaim ownership of its ancestral territory and manage the landscape using traditional knowledge and contemporary restoration practices. This property will be managed in conjunction with adjacent properties overseen by the tribe, with coordination of sustainable forest management, habitat restoration, sediment reduction, fire and fuels reduction, and carbon sequestration efforts. This acquisition will directly help tribal members by providing job opportunities, access to traditional foods, and a space for traditional practices.
FULL LIST OF AWARDS -
Alameda County:
- City of Oakland, $2,201,100, Mosswood Park Career Center and Innovation Lab at Mosswood Community Center
Del Norte County
- Save the Redwoods League, $875,000, Grove of Titans Redwoods Protection Project
Fresno County:
- City of Kerman, $2,003,695, City of Kerman Eastside Community Park
Humboldt County
- Yurok Tribe, $2,700,000, Ke’pel Creek Acquisition Project
Los Angeles County:
- AltaSea, $2,132,559, AltaSea Visitor Center
- Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, $131,190, White Point Nature Preserve and Center Community Stewardship Project
- Providence Little Company of Mary Foundation, $674,988, Lawndale Wellness and Activity Center
- City of Redondo Beach, $4,829,000 Acquisition of 15 Acres at AES Power Plant Site for Park Development
Monterey County:
- Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, $4,520,000, Esselen Tribal Lands Conservation Project
Napa County:
- Sonoma Land Trust, $750,000, Acquisition of McCormick Ranch: Protecting the Natural Resources of Napa & Sonoma Counties
Nevada County:
- The Sierra Fund, $344,193, The Nisenan Preserve, Phase II: Enhance Culture, Community, and Natural Resources
Orange County:
- Discovery Cube Orange County, $3,468,953, Visitor Enrichment Experience Project
Sacramento County:
- Powerhouse Science Center, $2,300,000, Vital Visitor Enhancements at New Powerhouse Science Center
- Southgate Recreation and Park District, $2,325,160, Fruitridge Community Center and Park Restoration Project
San Bernardino County:
- Twentynine Palms, $2,000,000, Project Phoenix Cultural Center and Joshua Tree Visitor Center
San Luis Obispo:
- County of San Luis Obispo, $1,937,000, Cayucos Veteran’s Hall Restoration
San Mateo County:
- Amah Mutsun Land Trust, $399,676, Collaborative Restoration of an Indigenous Cultural Landscape at Quiroste Valley Cultural Preserve, Año Nuevo State Park
Sierra County:
- Sierra County Land Trust, $353,400, Sierra Buttes/Lakes Basin Acquisition Program – Smailes Property.
Sonoma County:
- Sonoma County Regional Parks, $389,850, Tolay Gathering Area – “Heenup Tuliila.”
Stanislaus County:
- Stanislaus County, $756,030, Bonita Park Pool Project
Tulare County:
- City of Farmersville, $1,908,206, Farmersville Community Park Phase III – The Sequoia Gateway Area
# # #
# # #
