California allocates $44M to protect 14,000+ acres across 15 conservation projects

California has approved nearly $43.9 million in funding for 15 land conservation projects spread across 11 counties. The initiative aims to protect approximately 14,177 acres of forest and salmon habitat critical to the state's ecological health. An additional 1,093 acres of Mojave Desert land will also be conserved as part of the effort. The funding will support stream and meadow restoration, alongside the acquisition of an 80-acre Tribal property designated for ecological restoration and community training programs.