California Natural Resources Agency

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. 

Grant Awards Announced

The California Natural Resources Agency, in partnership with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Ocean Protection Council, is honored and excited to announce the award of $107.7 million to fund 33 projects and support the return of approximately 38,950 acres of land to California Native American tribes through the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions grant program.

This funding will support the return of ancestral lands to tribal ownership and stewardship, planning and implementation of habitat restoration projects, protecting our coast and oceans, advancing wildfire resiliency and cultural fire, and so many more multi-benefit nature-based solutions projects across California. These projects and tribal leadership in advancing nature-based solutions is essential for the integration of tribal expertise and Traditional Ecological Knowledge into reaching the goal of conserving 30% of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030 and working with our lands to address the climate and biodiversity crisis.

In December 2023, the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions grant program provided early funding through its time-sensitive, shovel-ready application process to the Hoopa Valley Tribe in partnership with the State Coastal Conservancy and private funders to support the Tribe to acquire 10,395 acres of forested property to return Hupa Mountain back to tribal stewardship.

Thank you to tribal leaders for your consultations, collaborations with partners, time, and energy spent advancing these important projects.

The Tribal Nature-Based Solutions grant program is honored to partner with the following California Native American tribes in awarding these funds:

1. Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indian
2. American Indian Council of Mariposa County (Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation)
3. Cold Springs Rancheria of Mono Indians of California*
4. Elk Valley Rancheria
5. Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel
6. Kai Poma **
7. Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of the Stewarts Point Rancheria
8. Koy’o Land Conservancy (Colfax-Todds Valley Consolidated Tribe and Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians) *
9. Maidu Summit Consortium *
10. Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria
11. Mendocino Land Trust- on behalf of the Cahto, Potter Valley, and Sherwood Valley Tribes
12. Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California
13. Modoc Nation
14. Mooretown Rancheria Band of Maidu Indians
15. Owens Valley Indian Water Commission
16. Potter Valley Tribe *
17. Resighini Rancheria
18. Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians
19. Round Valley Indian Tribes
20. Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians
21. Scott Valley Indian Community (Ruffey and Etna Bands of Indians)
22. Sogorea Te’ Land Trust (Confederated Villages of Lisjan Nation)
23. Tamien Nation
24. Tataviam Land Conservancy
25. Tule River Indian Tribe
26. Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation
27. Trust for Public Land- on behalf of the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County
28. Trust for Public Land- on behalf of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band
29. Tübatulabals of Kern Valley *
30. Wilton Rancheria
31. Sawalmem Inc.- on behalf of the Winnemem Wintu Tribe
32. ytt Northern Chumash **
33. Yurok Tribe

* Funded by CAL FIRE

** Funded by Ocean Protection Council

Important Due Dates and Timelines for the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions – Grant Solicitation Closed

Tribal Nature-Based Solutions grant guidelines

Tribal Nature-Based Solutions step-2 grant project summaries

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 23, 2024 - Deadline for Submitting Full Project Proposals Applications (Step 2) by 5:00pm PST February 23, 2024.
• Late April to Early May, 2024 - Anticipated Timeline for Step 3-4 Review and submission.

To support applicants navigating the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions program, CNRA developed application forms and templates based on each step of the grant program. Applicants were 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.

The Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Grant Team is available to assist with any questions regarding the next steps in the development of grant agreements and implementing funded projects. The Grant Team hosted office hours every Friday from 2pm -3pm. CNRA will no longer have open office hours and recommend awardees contact their grant administrator if they have questions or request technical assistance.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out at tribalaffairs@resources.ca.gov if you have any questions.