CAL FIRE's mission is to protect the people and property of California from the effects of devastating wildfires, promote ecosystem resilience, and enhance forest health through sustainable management practices that address threats like climate change, forest overcrowding, and pest infestations. This mission extends to safeguarding watersheds, promoting carbon storage, and supporting land management strategies that mitigate the impact of extreme disturbance events on forests.
The grant program aims to create green schoolyards, enhancing the health, well-being, and educational opportunities for children most vulnerable to climate-related issues like increasing temperatures and extreme heat, specifically in California. It focuses on public or nonprofit child care facilities receiving government funding, aimed at improving outdoor environments and fostering conditions that support outdoor learning and environmental literacy. The projects seek to incorporate nature-based climate solutions, including tree planting and conversion of paved areas to green spaces, to offer multiple benefits. These benefits encompass alleviating extreme heat, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving urban forest functionality, enhancing climate resilience, and enriching the environmental quality of urban areas. Additionally, the program supports the development of natural learning and play areas—like rain gardens, botanical gardens, and outdoor classrooms—to maximize benefits for children and the surrounding community. This supplemental solicitation specifically targets nonprofit child care facilities for planning and implementing such projects, with funding ranging from $200,000 to $6,000,000 per application, including specifics on budget limits per child care facility and payment methods.