Budget Trends and Highlights

Position Growth

• 2022-23: 83.0 positions
• 2023-24: 83.0 positions
• 2024-25: 83.0 positions (projected)

The Conservancy maintains a stable workforce with no changes in staffing levels over the three-year period.

Budget Fluctuations

Total budget by fiscal year (in thousands):

• 2022-23: $647,616
• 2023-24: $252,573
• 2024-25: $29,683 (projected)

The budget shows a significant decrease over the three-year period, primarily due to the completion of major one-time projects and reductions in General Fund allocations.

Key funding sources for 2024-25:

• Federal Trust Fund: $10,590,000
• California Environmental License Plate Fund: $4,690,000
• Habitat Conservation Fund: $4,000,000
• California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate Protection Fund: $4,265,000
• State Coastal Conservancy Fund: $1,179,000

Major Projects and Initiatives

Coastal Conservancy Programs

The Conservancy's work focuses on several key areas:

1. Environmental Protection and Enhancement

• Natural environment preservation
• Agricultural land conservation
• Scenic lands protection
• Urban waterfront development

2. Public Access and Recreation

• Coastal access improvement
• San Francisco Bay access enhancement
• Trail development
• Outdoor recreational opportunities expansion

3. Climate Change Adaptation

• Climate change impact preparation
• Coastal region resilience
• San Francisco Bay Area adaptation

4. Special Programs

• San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program
• Santa Ana River Conservancy Program
• Lower-cost coastal accommodations development

Administrative Structure

Program Areas

1. Coastal Conservancy Programs ($14,893,000)
2. Local Assistance ($10,990,000)
3. Capital Outlay ($3,800,000)

Core Functions

1. Project Development and Implementation

• Technical assistance provision
• Direct funding management
• Grant administration

2. Regional Programs Management

• Coastal watershed projects
• San Francisco Bay Area initiatives
• Ocean resource protection

3. Conservation Planning

• Natural resource assessment
• Project prioritization
• Partnership development

Funding Allocation Process

The Conservancy utilizes a diverse funding portfolio to support its mission:

1. Core Program Funding

• Federal Trust Fund for coastal programs
• Environmental License Plate Fund for environmental initiatives
• Habitat Conservation Fund for conservation projects

2. Special Purpose Funds

• Coastal Access Account for public access projects
• California Sea Otter Fund for species protection
• Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for climate initiatives

3. Project Implementation

• Grant distribution to local agencies
• Direct project funding
• Partnership development with nonprofit organizations

Funding priorities are based on:

• Environmental protection needs
• Public access requirements
• Climate change adaptation urgency
• Regional conservation priorities
• Partnership opportunities
• Available funding sources

The Conservancy emphasizes:

• Strategic project selection
• Leveraging multiple funding sources
• Long-term sustainability
• Measurable environmental benefits
• Public benefit maximization