Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Program

Tribal affairs ImageThe California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) established the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions (TNBS) Program in response to feedback received from California Native American tribes during the tribal consultations on Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-82-20 (Nature-Based Solutions Executive Order), the Pathways to 30x30 Strategy, and Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy. The California Natural Resources Agency is committed to working towards meaningful partnerships with California Native American tribes in the implementation of our nature-based solutions policies and programs.  The Tribal Nature-Based Solutions program and grant funds are part of this commitment to partner with California Native American tribes in advancing multi-benefit nature-based solutions priorities for their communities.

To learn more about the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions logo, please read our blog post explaining the importance of protecting and respecting culturally important native species. 

Climate Bond Funding Solicitation:

In November 2024, California voters passed Proposition 4, also known as the Climate Bond, which authorizes $10 billion dollars to support projects advancing climate change resilience and benefits to all communities. CNRA is the coordinating agency for the rollout of the Climate Bond.

The TNBS program was allocated $10 million as part of the Climate Bond to provide new funding for ancestral land return and tribal nature-based solution projects. As part of this new allocation, the TNBS Grant Guidelines have been updated to support the priorities outlined in the Climate Bond and programmatic changes based on recommendations received from past grantees and California Native American tribes during our early tribal consultations on the Climate Bond.

This funding will continue to support the return of ancestral lands to California Native American tribes, planning and implementation of habitat restoration projects, protecting the California coast and oceans, advancing wildfire resiliency and cultural fire, and many other multi-benefit nature-based solutions projects across California.

We respectfully request tribal consultations and public comment conclude on the draft updated TNBS grant guidelines by November 25, 2025. Please email written comments to tribalaffairs@resources.ca.gov.

 

Download the Draft Update Tribal Nature Based Solutions Grant Guidelines Here.

Join Us for a Public Listening Session

October 16th at 11:00 AM

Register Here

 

Key Dates for the TNBS Climate Bond Grant Program:

Deadlines for the TNBS Climate Bond solicitation and submittal of application materials will be announced at a later date when the bond funds have been approved for release.

TNBS Application Process:

Details on the TNBS application process will be provided closer to solicitation opening date. Currently, CNRA anticipates opening the solicitation in early 2026. This timeline is subject to change.

FAQ and Additional Resources:

FAQs and additional resources will be provided closer to solicitation opening date. In the meantime, please reach out to TNBS grant team at tribalaffairs@resources.ca.gov with any questions.

Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Webinars:

Tribal Nature-Based Solutions grant program webinars will be scheduled soon and provided closer to solicitation opening date.

Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Grant Office Hours:

Office hours for the TNBS grant program will be scheduled and provided closer to solicitation opening date. In the meantime, reach out to the TNBS grant team at tribalaffairs@resources.ca.gov with any questions.

TNBS 2023 Solicitation Cycle and 2024 Grant Awards Announcement

Pursuant to Chapter 249, statutes of 2022 (Assembly Bill 179) and Chapter 12, statutes of 2023 (Senate Bill 101), the California Legislature appropriated $100 million to the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) for funding California Native American tribes’ priorities for multi-benefit nature-based solutions projects located within the state of California. In January 2023, the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) approved the disbursement of $1 million to establish a Tribal Small Grants Program to provide dedicated funding to California Native American tribes and tribally led entities in support of work that advances tribes’ priorities for conservation, management, and stewardship, as well as the goals in OPC’s Strategic Plan and Tribal Engagement Strategy. The OPC Tribal Small Grants program was integrated into the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions program to assist California Native American tribes in advancing multi-benefit nature-based solutions in the coast and ocean.

In December 2023, the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions grant program provided early funding through its time-sensitive, shovel-ready application process to the Hoopa Valley Tribe in partnership with the State Coastal Conservancy and private funders to support the Tribe to acquire 10,395 acres of forested property to return Hupa Mountain back to tribal stewardship.

In April 2024, The California Natural Resources Agency, in partnership with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Ocean Protection Council,  announced the award of $107.7 million to fund 33 projects and support the return of approximately 38,950 acres of land to California Native American tribes through the Tribal Nature-Based Solutions grant program (see list of awarded projects below).

Thank you to tribal leaders for your consultations, collaborations with partners, time, and energy spent advancing these important projects.

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The Tribal Nature-Based Solutions grant program is honored to partner with the following California Native American tribes in awarding these funds:

  1. Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indian
  2. American Indian Council of Mariposa County (Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation)
  3. Cold Springs Rancheria of Mono Indians of California*
  4. Elk Valley Rancheria
  5. Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel
  6. Kai Poma **
  7. Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of the Stewarts Point Rancheria
  8. Koy’o Land Conservancy (Colfax-Todds Valley Consolidated Tribe and Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians) *
  9. Maidu Summit Consortium *
  10. Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria
  11. Mendocino Land Trust- on behalf of the Cahto, Potter Valley, and Sherwood Valley Tribes
  12. Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California
  13. Modoc Nation
  14. Mooretown Rancheria Band of Maidu Indians
  15. Owens Valley Indian Water Commission
  16. Potter Valley Tribe *
  17. Resighini Rancheria
  18. Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians
  19. Round Valley Indian Tribes
  20. Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians
  21. Scott Valley Indian Community (Ruffey and Etna Bands of Indians)
  22. Sogorea Te’ Land Trust (Confederated Villages of Lisjan Nation)
  23. Tamien Nation
  24. Tataviam Land Conservancy
  25. Tule River Indian Tribe
  26. Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation
  27. Trust for Public Land- on behalf of the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County
  28. Trust for Public Land- on behalf of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band
  29. Tübatulabals of Kern Valley *
  30. Wilton Rancheria
  31. Sawalmem Inc.- on behalf of the Winnemem Wintu Tribe
  32. ytt Northern Chumash **
  33. Yurok Tribe

Additional Resources