CA SB1296

Establishes the Nature and Parks Career Pathway and Community Resiliency Act of 2020 to require state conservancies and the Wildlife Conservation Board to create independent grant programs for climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience projects.

Grant-funded projects must accomplish both climate risk reduction for vulnerable communities, fish and wildlife, or natural/cultural/historical/tribal resources, AND provide comprehensive workforce development in natural resources fields.

Grant program guidelines must require use of crews from disadvantaged populations, prioritize projects in low-income and climate-vulnerable communities, and solicit applications at least annually.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, workforce training programs, tribal and local governments, educational institutions, and state vocational rehabilitation programs.

Grants may be funded from Section 26230, Section 80008(c)(1)(F), or future natural resource or climate resiliency funding, contingent on legislative appropriation.