CA AB2627

Appropriates $90 million from Proposition 4 bond funds to the Wildlife Conservation Board for grants to acquire conservation easements on private rangelands, grazing lands, and grasslands

Grants can cover up to 100% of a conservation easement's appraised value plus up to $75,000 for processing expenses, with grantees required to record easements by June 30, 2029

Eligible grant recipients must be accredited land trusts demonstrating capacity to acquire easements within 18 months, or federally/state-recognized Native American tribes

Supports California's 30x30 conservation goal, which requires protecting an additional 4 million acres by 2030 according to the July 2025 progress report

California's 17 million acres of privately owned rangelands provide wildfire fuel reduction (removing approximately 12 billion pounds of dry biomass annually), groundwater recharge, wildlife habitat, and carbon storage