Jim McBride at the California Department of Conservation

I’ve had the pleasure of working at the California Department of Conservation within the Division of Land Resource Protection for my practicum this summer. My primary focus is updating grant guidelines for the Working Lands and Riparian Restoration program. This grant program focuses on the protection and restoration of riparian areas on private agricultural land. This grant cycle will see the introduction of a new planning grant component, in addition to funding for the implementation of restoration projects. With the ability to apply for funding for project planning and restoration implementation, the program will increase the amount of restored and protected riparian areas throughout the state. By the end of my practicum, I will have assisted in preparing a final set of draft guidelines and solicitation ready for interagency review.