Budget Trends and Highlights (2022-2025)

Position Growth

• Stable Staffing: Maintained 44.0 positions consistently from 2022-23 through 2024-25
• Program Distribution:
  • Wildlife Conservation Board: 44.0 positions (100%)
  • Capital Outlay: Project-based, no permanent positions

Budget Fluctuations

• Total Budget Trend: Significant variation from $520.8 million (2022-23) to $60.2 million (2024-25)
• Major Changes:
  • General Fund reduction from $187.7 million to $20.1 million
  • Federal Trust Fund stable at $35.0 million
  • Bond fund expenditures declining significantly

Major Program Funding (2024-25)

• Capital Outlay: $55.7 million
• Wildlife Conservation: $4.6 million
• Habitat Conservation: $21.6 million (including transfers)

Major Funding Codes and Sources

Program Codes

• 2710 - Wildlife Conservation Board: Core conservation programs
• 2720 - Capital Outlay: Land acquisition and improvement projects

Funding Source Codes

• 0001 - General Fund: Primary state funding
• 0890 - Federal Trust Fund: Federal program support
• 0262 - Habitat Conservation Fund: Wildlife habitat protection
• 6051/6083/6088 - Bond Funds: Various conservation projects
• 0447 - Wildlife Restoration Fund: Restoration activities

Major Projects and Initiatives

Land Acquisition

1. Property Conservation:

   • Strategic land purchases
   • Conservation easements
   • Habitat corridors
   • Public access areas

2. Partnership Programs:

   • Local agency collaboration
   • NGO partnerships
   • Landowner agreements
   • Joint funding ventures

Habitat Protection

1. Ecosystem Conservation:

   • Forest preservation
   • Desert habitat protection
   • Wetland restoration
   • Riparian enhancement

2. Climate Resilience:

   • Biodiversity protection
   • Rangeland conservation
   • Oak woodland preservation
   • Grassland management

Public Access Development

1. Recreation Infrastructure:

   • Wildlife viewing areas
   • Trail systems
   • Educational facilities
   • Access improvements

2. Project Implementation:

   • Site planning
   • Construction management
   • Maintenance coordination
   • Public engagement

Administrative Structure

The Board operates with a focused organizational structure:

1. Board Leadership

   • Executive Director
   • Board Members
   • Program Managers

2. Program Areas

   • Land Acquisition
   • Project Development
   • Grant Management
   • Environmental Review

3. Support Functions

   • Administration
   • Legal Affairs
   • Technical Services
   • Public Relations

Funding Allocation Process

1. Project Selection:

   • Conservation priorities
   • Habitat needs assessment
   • Partner coordination
   • Public benefit evaluation

2. Resource Distribution:

   • Grant program management
   • Project funding allocation
   • Bond fund administration
   • Federal fund coordination

3. Implementation Oversight:

   • Project monitoring
   • Performance tracking
   • Compliance verification
   • Outcome assessment

Sources: [1] Wildlife Conservation Board Budget Document 2024-25 [2] Fish and Game Code, Division 2, Chapters 4-4.3 [3] Annual Land Acquisition Reports [4] Strategic Plan [5] Conservation Project Guidelines [6] Bond Fund Expenditure Records [7] Habitat Conservation Plans [8] Project Monitoring Reports [9] Public Access Program Documents [10] Climate Resilience Framework