The california department of fish and wildlife (cdfw) manages approximately 150,000 acres of wildlife areas and ecological reserves within the BAY delta region (BDR)

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) received a $328,308 formula grant award from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 8, effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611). This funding supports CDFW's management and conservation activities across approximately 150,000 acres of wildlife areas and ecological reserves within the Bay Delta Region, including approximately 90,000 acres of unstaffed lands that provide critical habitat for elk, deer, bear, upland game species, non-game species, and special status species.

The grant funding enables CDFW to implement wildlife habitat conservation initiatives and maintain public hunting opportunities on state-managed lands. As a formula grant under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, the award reflects CDFW's established eligibility as the state agency with lead responsibility for fish and wildlife resource management and its compliance with state assent legislation requiring hunting and fishing license revenues to support agency operations. The funding supports CDFW's ongoing mission to conserve ecological values while providing recreational access to game species on state-designated wildlife management areas.

Approximately 90,000 acres are designated as unstaffed lands. These lands provide habitat to ELK, deer, bear, doves, quail and other upland game, non-game species, and special status species. They are managed to conserve their inherent ecological values and to provide hunting opportunities for the public for game species.