California Rangeland, Grazing Land and Grassland Protection Program

California's state program for buying conservation easements on rangeland, grazing land and grassland, so ranches stay in livestock grazing and are not converted to non-agricultural uses. A willing landowner can apply, alone or with a land trust, RCD, public agency or other partner. Applications are accepted year-round and approved by the Board once real estate due diligence is done. Easements on more intensive farmland are pointed to the Department of Conservation instead.

• "Eligible applicants and partners include a willing landowner, a local public agency, special district, resource conservation district, joint powers authority, nonprofit organization or state agency."

• "Projects must protect the integrity of the rangeland, grazing lands and grasslands."

• Easement terms must comply with the "Principles of Compatible Use"; the landowner must disclose known environmental conditions and certify the easement is not required as mitigation and that the use is consistent with local land use plans and zoning.

Perpetual conservation easement protecting long-term livestock grazing. WCB Conservation Easement Minimum Requirements (updated June 2026) apply.

Published amounts: No amounts published. Easements are bought at a DGS-approved fair market value appraisal on a willing-seller basis (Land Acquisition Program page). "Project proposals that contain funding partners may receive a higher priority than those applicants requesting 100 percent of the necessary funds to acquire the conservation easement."

"Upon receipt of a pre-proposal application WCB will review the proposal and based on its merits, and funding available will request a full proposal or deny the pre-proposal." Submit through the WCB Project Portal (see the WCB Grant Opportunities page); contacting WCB staff first is strongly recommended.

Deadline text on the page: "Applications will be accepted on a year-round basis." Pre-applications go through the WCB Project Portal (launched March 6, 2026); the Board generally meets quarterly.