To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Regional Parks
Staff Name and Phone Number: Bert Whitaker and Minona Heaviland, 707-565-2041
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Agreement
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Authorize the Regional Parks Director and or designee to enter into an agreement with the US Fish and Wildlife Service Partners program
B) Authorize Sonoma County Regional Parks to receive funding in the amount of $49,900 and to execute all documents necessary to carry out and administer the grant
C) Make a determination the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under Public Resources Code section 15333.
end
Executive Summary:
Through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) provides grants for the restoration, enhancement, and management of fish and wildlife habitats. USFWS works with landowners to conduct cost-effective habitat projects for the benefit of fish and wildlife resources in the United States. The USFWS has recognized the need for locally adapted plants and seeds to support post-wildfire recovery across Sonoma County and the North Bay. They will partner with Sonoma County Regional Parks (Regional Parks) to identify, collect, amplify, and propagate native plants and seeds making more material available for restoration efforts.
Discussion:
The partnership between USFWS and Regional Parks mutually benefits both organizations, as well as native seed producers and restoration practitioners, by collecting, amplifying, and propagating native seed and plant material thus making more locally adapted material available for habitat restoration projects.
Under this agreement, the federally funded Seeds of Success crew, already operating in the area, will collect seeds from populations prioritized by Regional Parks staff on county-owned lands. Regional Parks will coordinate site access, mapping, and logistical support for collection activities.
Collected materials will be processed, cleaned, and tested in coordination with Regional Parks and local native plant producers. Following processing, seeds will be amplified through ex-situ production beginning in 2027, with amplified seed expected to become available for restoration use in 2028 and beyond. Regional Parks will coordinate with local seed growers to purchase existing locally sourced seed produced at commercial scale, support established production plots to ensure continuity of supply, and invest in expanded production capacity for additional priority species via grant funds.
USFWS and Regional Parks agree all native seed produced under this collaborative effort will be shared equitably between the parties.
USFWS will support the partnership by (1) mobilizing local Seeds of Success (SOS) crews to collect seed; (2) overseeing project coordination and contracting between Regional Parks and local seed growers; and (3) managing excess seed and plant material. Regional parks will support the partnership by (1) supporting SOS teams and site access, permitting, and camping reservations; (2) administering contracts for seed amplification; (3) purchasing amplified seed and plants with grant funding; (4) utilizing feed and plant material for planting in burn scars and other appropriate restoration areas; and (5) reporting.
Any implementation under this grant would fall under the Small Habitat Restoration Act CEQA exemption for restoration projects under 5 acres pursuant to 14 Cal. Code Regs § 15333.
Strategic Plan:
This project will support wildfire recovery and habitat enhancement throughout Sonoma County parklands through the production of locally sourced seeds and plants.
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Climate Action and Resiliency
Goal: Goal 1: Continue to invest in wildfire preparedness and resiliency strategies
Objective: Objective 3: Leverage grant funding to support sustainable vegetation management program.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
None
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY26-27 Adopted |
FY27-28 Projected |
FY28-29 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$10,000 |
$25,000 |
$14,900 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$10,000 |
$25,000 |
$14,900 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
$10,000 |
$25,000 |
$14,900 |
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$10,000 |
$25,000 |
$14,900 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Grant funds will be spent on project expenses over the next three or more fiscal years. The department has sufficient appropriations in the FY 26-27 adopted budget for work expected to be performed under this agreement. The department will budget remaining funds in FY 27-28 and following years through the annual budget process.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
Notice of Award
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None