Budget Trends and Highlights (2022-2025)

Position Growth

• Overall Growth: Increase from 2,980.0 positions in 2022-23 to 3,238.9 positions in 2024-25 (8.7% growth)
• Program Distribution:
  • Biodiversity Conservation: 1,249.1 positions (39%)
  • Hunting, Fishing, and Public Use: 508.0 positions (16%)
  • Enforcement: 491.8 positions (15%)
  • Department Lands Management: 452.8 positions (14%)
  • Other Programs: 537.2 positions (16%)

Budget Fluctuations

• Total Budget Trend: Varied from $974.4 million (2022-23) to $800.5 million (2024-25)
• Major Changes:
  • General Fund reduction from $313.8 million to $192.1 million
  • Fish and Game Preservation Fund increase to $142.3 million
  • Cannabis Tax Fund allocation of $79.1 million

Major Program Funding (2024-25)

• Biodiversity Conservation: $390.0 million
• Enforcement: $145.8 million
• Hunting and Fishing: $116.4 million
• Department Lands: $88.8 million
• Spill Prevention: $52.2 million

Major Funding Codes and Sources

Program Codes

• 2590 - Biodiversity Conservation: Species and habitat protection
• 2595 - Hunting, Fishing, and Public Use: Recreational management
• 2600 - Department Lands: Facility and property management
• 2605 - Enforcement: Law enforcement and compliance
• 2615 - Spill Prevention: Environmental protection

Funding Source Codes

• 0001 - General Fund: Primary state funding
• 0200 - Fish and Game Preservation Fund: Core operations
• 0890 - Federal Trust Fund: Federal program support
• 3351 - Cannabis Tax Fund: Environmental restoration
• 0320 - Oil Spill Prevention Fund: Marine protection

Major Projects and Initiatives

Wildlife Conservation

1. Species Management:

   • Endangered species protection
   • Habitat restoration
   • Population monitoring
   • Recovery planning

2. Habitat Protection:

   • Land acquisition
   • Conservation easements
   • Ecosystem restoration
   • Climate adaptation

Public Access and Recreation

1. Hunting and Fishing Programs:

   • License administration
   • Wildlife areas management
   • Fish hatchery operations
   • Public education

2. Land Management:

   • Wildlife area maintenance
   • Facility improvements
   • Public access enhancement
   • Habitat restoration

Environmental Protection

1. Law Enforcement:

   • Wildlife protection
   • Poaching prevention
   • Commercial fishing oversight
   • Public safety

2. Pollution Prevention:

   • Oil spill response
   • Water quality protection
   • Environmental review
   • Habitat conservation

Administrative Structure

The Department operates through specialized divisions:

1. Executive Office

   • Director
   • Chief Deputy Director
   • Regional Managers

2. Program Divisions

   • Wildlife and Fisheries
   • Ecosystem Conservation
   • Law Enforcement
   • Administrative Services

3. Support Functions

   • Scientific Services
   • Information Technology
   • Communications
   • Legal Affairs

Funding Allocation Process

1. Resource Management:

   • Species conservation
   • Habitat protection
   • Recreation programs
   • Law enforcement

2. Program Implementation:

   • Scientific research
   • Public outreach
   • Permit processing
   • Field operations

3. Fiscal Controls:

   • License revenue management
   • Grant administration
   • Federal fund oversight
   • Special fund allocation

Sources: [1] Department of Fish and Wildlife Budget Document 2024-25 [2] Fish and Game Code [3] California Code of Regulations, Title 14 [4] State Wildlife Action Plan [5] Annual License Revenue Reports [6] Endangered Species Recovery Plans [7] Marine Life Protection Act [8] Wildlife Area Management Plans [9] Law Enforcement Division Reports [10] Strategic Vision for Fish and Wildlife Management