The State Coastal Conservancy (SCC), in cooperation with Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), is pleased to issue a call for proposals for the Priority Conservation Area Program. This pilot program focuses on the Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs) in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties. Letters of Interest will be due from eligible applicants July 19, 2013. MTC has made $5 million of federal funds available which will be combined with additional funding provided by SCC. Two public workshops will be held to provide prospective applicants with an overview of the Plan Bay Area PCA Grant Program and to answer questions. (more…)
California’s sea otters need your help, and there’s an easy way to do it by making a voluntary contribution on line 410 of your state income tax return (Form 540).
By contributing any amount over one dollar, Californians can support the California Sea Otter Fund. Donations are tax deductible on next year’s return.
“The voluntary contributions Californians make at tax time are incredibly helpful in efforts to save the cherished California Sea Otters,” said Sam Schuchat, executive officer of the State Coastal Conservancy. “The money raised through tax donations helps pay for essential research and recovery efforts to assure the conservation and survival of this extraordinary resident of our central coast.” (more…)
At its December 6, 2012 meeting, the Coastal Conservancy adopted a new strategic plan to guide the agency for 2013 through 2018.
The Strategic Plan provides an overview of our past accomplishments and a delineation of coastal issues by region, and identifies specific goals and objectives the Conservancy will seek to achieve over the next five years. Climate change and limited funding will be critical challenges to continuing coastal conservation work; the plan discusses these challenges and strategies to address them.
The Conservancy is grateful to everyone who participated in the preparation of this Strategic Plan, and to everyone who partners with the Conservancy to accomplish great work along the California Coast and in the San Francisco Bay Area. Together we have done a great deal for California’s people and wildlife, but we still have much left to accomplish!
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS [February 2013]
The California State Coastal Conservancy (“Conservancy”) anticipates a need for environmental, engineering, architectural, landscape architectural, and construction project management consulting services for Conservancy projects and programs and for California Ocean Protection Council (“OPC”) projects and programs, undertaken by the Conservancy on behalf of the OPC, over the next twelve months.
The Conservancy seeks Statements of Qualifications from individuals and firms providing these services. (more…)
Since 1921, the Carmel River and its wildlife resources have been impacted by San Clemente Dam. As a result, the Carmel River suffers accelerated erosion, the once vibrant steelhead run has dramatically decreased, and lives and property below the dam are threatened with potential collapse of the dam — which has been deemed unsafe by the State of California. We speak with Sam Schuchat, Executive Officer, State Coastal Conservancy. He discusses an extraordinary opportunity to remove the antiquated dam through a unique example of public and private interests working together to realize benefits far beyond what either could achieve working alone.
We invite you to watch this video podcast by visiting the Thank You Ocean website.
Your Passport to the San Francisco Bay Trail
The San Francisco Bay Trail Project is announcing the release of the second edition of the popular San Francisco Bay Shoreline Guide. Published by UC Press and funded by the State Coastal Conservancy, the Guide is comprehensive, compact, user-friendly, and studded with full-color maps and illustrations that cover the more than 325 miles of shoreline Bay Trail already open to the public. This book is essential for anyone who wants to explore the remarkably diverse San Francisco Bay shoreline. For more information about the Bay Trail and where you can order your copy, go to www.baytrail.org.
The Guide shows how the Bay Trail offers access to commercial, industrial and residential neighborhoods, featuring points of historic, natural and cultural interest; recreational areas like beaches, marinas, fishing piers, boat launches, and over 130 parks and wildlife preserves. (more…)
The vision for the California Coastal Trail (“CCT”) is a continuous public right-of-way along the California coastline- a trail designed to foster appreciation and stewardship of the scenic and natural resources of the coast through hiking, biking, and in some areas horseback riding. The recently completed San Luis Obispo County CCT Master Plan covers the coast from northern border of San Luis Obispo County southward to Cayucos. This segment of the CCT includes breathtaking views, precious natural habitat, valuable recreation opportunities and areas of historical significance. The Plan can be downloaded at: http://scc.ca.gov/webmaster/pdfs/CCT-SLO-masterplan-final-opt.pdf.
