What is the Riparian Grant Program?

The State Conservation Commission (SCC) is committed to supporting private landowners’ voluntary stewardship of natural resources. In 2023, the WA State Legislature approved funding for SCC to run a voluntary riparian grant program for priority riparian restoration and protection. This opportunity provides funding for projects to restore and protect riparian habitat. Riparian habitat restoration and protection projects are crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems and preserving biodiversity.

Eligibility

Conservation districts

Forms & Links

Updates

Funding is available for riparian restoration projects

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed monthly. The first deadline is June 13, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. After that, applications are due on the first Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m.

About this Conservation Program

Riparian Grant Program - $25,000,000

This is capital funding. The budget proviso language states, “The appropriations in this section are provided solely for the state conservation commission to provide grants for riparian restoration projects with landowners.” Funding is for projects that can demonstrate a benefit to state salmon recovery goals. Read the full proviso language here.

Salmon Riparian Restoration Program Outreach - $2,000,000

This is operating funding. The budget proviso language states, “One-time funding is provided solely to support the outreach, identification, and implementation of salmon riparian habitat restoration projects that are appropriated through the capital budget.”

Work Group

To guide this work, SCC formed a work group and advisory committee. Thank you to everyone who volunteered to serve on the Riparian Grants Work Group to help the SCC draft programmatic guidelines for the new Riparian Grants Program. Notes and links to past meeting recordings are available here. Links to recordings are contained within the notes.

Eligibility

Conservation districts are the only eligible entities for this program. All other organizations, agencies, and entities are encouraged to work with their local conservation district to identify, support, and partner on riparian project implementation. Find your local conservation district here.

All land ownerships are eligible under this program including private, Tribal, Federal, State, non-profit organization, or local government ownerships.

Plantings from above by Natalie Otto, Grays Harbor CD

Riparian Grant Program funds may be used for the following eligible project types:

  • Outreach which generates riparian restoration projects
  • Technical assistance, planning, design, and project monitoring
  • Landowner-implemented cost-share projects
  • District Implemented Projects (DIPs)
  • Maintenance of previously installed practices

All stream types regardless of the presence of salmonids are eligible for riparian restoration and protection projects under this program.

This includes all management areas adjacent to freshwaters, wetlands, and marine waters that have been locally or regionally identified as an area where salmon recovery efforts would significantly benefit from enhanced protection or restoration.

Climate Commitment Act (CCA) Requirements

The Riparian Grant Program is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The CCA puts cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.

For any SCC grant program that is funded by the Climate Commitment Act, the statute requires that applicants notify, “all affected federally recognized Tribes within the project area,” about their proposed project as early as possible prior to approval of funding. See www.scc.wa.gov/cd/cca for all Climate Commitment Requirements.

The notifications must follow the instructions below:

NOTE: This requirement is separate from and in addition to cultural resources requirements they cannot be combined into one process.

Reporting (FY 23-25)

Reporting on all activities for FY23-25 is required. Cost-share projects will be reported utilizing SCC’s Conservation Practice Data System (CPDS) while all other work will be reported utilizing this form: Riparian Grant Program Reporting Form.

Additional reporting through the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) is required for the following:

Funding & How to Apply

Funding Available for Riparian Restoration Projects

Please make sure to read over the application and draft guidelines before applying.

Grant awards will be made following adoption of the 2025-2027 guidelines. SCC staff will work with applicants to adapt applications when necessary. SCC reserves the right to offer reduced funding awards.

Applications Deadlines

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed monthly. The first deadline is June 13, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

After that, applications are due on the first Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m. Upcoming deadlines:

  • Monday, July 7
  • Monday, August 4
  • Monday, September 1

Files & Publications

Want more information?

Check out the following files that are related to the Riparian Grant Program.

File Name
Summary

Webinars

Find videos and trainings from this program.

RGP - Outreach Funding Webinar 11.04.24
November 4, 2024
RGP Outreach Funding Webinar hosted by SCC staff.
Conservation 101 - Riparian Grant Program
April 15, 2025
This video explores SCC’s Riparian Grant Program, which funds conservation district-led, voluntary efforts to restore and protect streamside habitat for salmon recovery, in partnership with agencies like the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Success Stories from this Grant Program

Come back soon for new stories!