The Wildlife Conservation Board protects, restores and enhances California’s spectacular natural resources for wildlife and for the public’s use and enjoyment in partnership with conservation groups, government agencies and the people of California.
The Wildlife Conservation Board's Ecosystem Restoration on Agricultural Lands (ERAL) program aims to work with the agricultural community to find and execute projects that offer long-term wildlife habitat benefits while aligning with landowner goals like economic sustainability. This is with a vision for these projects to be replicable across California. The program focuses on privately owned agricultural lands as crucial habitats for many wildlife species, recognizing the potential for these lands to maintain connectivity with protected wildlife areas. The ERAL program supports various activities including habitat restoration and enhancement, development of wetland areas, and practices aimed at improving water quality and carbon sequestration, among others. Projects must be located on agricultural land with willing owners and must ensure habitat benefits for wildlife with a long-term management plan in place.