Back Country Horseman of California Bakersfield ($3,045)
www.bchc.org
The Back County Horsemen of California (BCHC), based in the Central San Joaquin Valley, comprises individuals dedicated to conserving backcountry wilderness and protecting stock users' historic access to wilderness trails and forage. BCHA members work with public land administrators on issues pertinent to public use of the back country. CWGF supported efforts to include low-income high school students in BCHC's Ambassador Program, a hands-on wilderness data collection program.

Canyon Lands Conservation Fund Silverado ($4,000)
www.canyonland.org
Canyon Lands Conservation Fund (CLCF) preserves the remaining natural open spaces inside and adjacent to Orange County's section of the Cleveland National Forest, which links to the Chino-Puente Hills Open Space Corridor in Los Angeles County, and documents regional biological and water quality. CLCF used its CWGF grant for legal work and research to ensure the US Fish and Wildlife Service's adherence to mandates protecting the habitat of the Arroyo Toad (an endangered amphibian) in Silverado Creek

Citizens for East Shore Parks El Cerrito ($5,000)
www.eastshorepark.org
In response to large-scale development threats on the Albany and Berkeley shorelines, local environmentalists banded together in 1985 to form the Citizens for East Shore Parks (CESP) to fight for a shoreline park. CESP preserves the natural resources and facilitates the recreational and educational opportunities of the east shore of San Francisco Bay, creating a necklace of shoreline parks from Oakland to the Carquinez Strait. Funds from CWGF were used to educate residents, key officials and stakeholders about protecting the shoreline by choosing open space as the "preferred" alternative in the city of Richmond's General Plan.

Community Clean Water Institute Sebastopol ($4,000)
www.ccwi.org
Based in Sonoma County, the Community Clean Water Institute (CCWI) protects water resources and public health, identifies pollution sources through research, education and water quality testing and works to prevent water pollution throughout coastal Northern California. CCWI also collects and analyzes water quality data, engages in education and community outreach activities and shares information with government regulatory agencies and the public. CCWI received a grant from CWGF to analyze in stream flow, temperature, and nutrient and dissolved oxygen levels in Mark West Creek near Santa Rosa.

Desert Survivors Oakland ($5,000)
www.desert-survivors.org
Desert Survivors was founded in 1981 to encourage the experience, sharing and protection of desert wilderness. In addition to its advocacy work, Desert Survivors leads free backpacking trips and car camps for people of all levels of skill and fitness, and offers courses in beginning backpacking. Desert Survivors has over 700 members, primarily in California and Nevada. CWGF provided support for communications, outreach, and research.

Environment in the Public Interest San Luis Obispo ($4,050)
www.epicenteronline.org
Environment in the Public Interest advocates for the protection and preservation of habitat and biodiversity in the central coast of California. EPI also sponsors the San Luis Obispo CoastKeeper, part of the international Waterkeeper organization, which is dedicated to protecting the ocean and fresh waters of the region. CWGF funded EPI's efforts to identify and analyze the biological and hydrologic impacts of the development of a proposed new gravel mine in the Cuyama River in Santa Barbara County.

Friends of ECOS, Inc. Sacramento ($4,000)
www.ecosacramento.net
HOriginally founded in 1970 in response to Earth Day, Friends of ECOS provides environmental education and protection in the Sacramento region, with a focus on regional sustainability. Funds from CWGF were used to support the Habitat 2020, a coalition of environmental organizations collaborating to protect the lands and waters where wildlife and native plants live in the Sacramento region.

Friends of Redwood City Redwood City ($5,000)
www.forwc.org
Friends of Redwood City was formed in 1982 by citizens concerned about development proposed in what is now Bair Island National Wildlife Refuge, and were successful in efforts to protect these fragile wetlands in San Francisco Bay. Since then, Friends of Redwood City has become an advocate for sustainable development in their community, advocating for sound policy and programs that balance environmental protection and economic activity. This grant provided funds to create and mail brochures.

Friends of Rose Canyon San Diego ($2,500)
www.rosecanyon.org
Friends of Rose Canyon is dedicated to the protection, preservation and restoration of Rose Canyon and the Rose Creek watershed, located in the city of San Diego and providing needed recreation and environmental resources to this rapidly growing community. CWGF funds were used to support legal proceedings to stop the building of a major road through the heart of Rose Canyon Open Space Park.

Green Wheels, a project of the Northcoast Environmental Center Arcata ($3,500)
www.green-wheels.org
Green Wheels works for a healthier community, economy and environment, advocating for balanced and sustainable transportation on California's rural North Coast. Green Wheels defines this as public transit that is a viable alternative to driving for working families, land use planning to make sustainable transportation more cost and time-effective, and bike and pedestrian infrastructure that everyone feels safe using, including a Humboldt Bay Trail between Eureka and Arcata. The grant from CWGF funded Green Wheels' leadership of the Healthy Humboldt Coalition, which supports transit solutions that preserve open space, reduce carbon footprints and improve community health.

High Sierra Rural Alliance Sierra City ($4,500)
www.highsierrarural.org
The High Sierra Rural Alliance (HSRA) is a grassroots organization committed to the preservation and enhancement of the rural Sierra experience. HSRA's advocacy has resulted in significant successes protecting the public's interest in local land use issues, meaningful public participation in the local decision-making process and the resources of the Sierra Valley and the Sierra Buttes/Lakes Basin, located in Plumas and Sierra Counties. Funds from CDGF went to support HSRA's Monitoring and Advocacy Program and its efforts to influence the Plumas County General Plan.

Lompico Watershed Conservancy Felton ($3,500)
www.lompicocreek.org
The original and continuing goal of the Lompico Watershed Conservancy is to protect land and habitat in the Santa Cruz Mountains through the use of conservation easements or purchase. The Conservancy also conducts restoration projects for native steelhead and salmon habitat and monitors and comments on the decisions of the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Funds from CWGF helped acquire threatened lands as additions to the Mill Creek Conservation Area north of Santa Cruz.

Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center Mount Shasta ($5,000)
www.mountshastaecology.org
The Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center (MSBEC) is dedicated to protecting and restoring the natural environment and cultural values of Mount Shasta and of its surrounding bioregion. MSBEC recognizes this region is of great importance locally, nationally and internationally in providing pure waters to the Sacramento Valley, rich biodiversity, numerous pristine natural sanctuaries, and sacred areas of high significance to Native American cultures. CWGF funding supported MSBEC's continuing legal and administrative efforts to halt the geothermal industrialization of Mount Shasta's Medicine Lake Highlands, an area sacred to native people of the region.

Mountain Meadows Conservancy Westwood ($5,000)
www.mtmeadows.org
Mountain Meadows Conservancy was formed in August 2001 by Lassen County citizens concerned about the future of the Mountain Meadows Basin. The Conservancy's mission is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty and environmental health of the Mountain Meadows watershed; protect its significant Mountain Maidu burial and cultural sites; and provide recreation and public access for generations to come. It is committed to working in partnership with all interested stakeholders, including area citizens, landowners, businesses, public agencies, educators, elected representatives and public and private organizations at the community, regional, state and national levels. Funds from CWGF were used to hire a development director and build organizational capacity for the long-term.

MyValleySprings.com Valley Springs ($3,500)
www.myvalleysprings.com
MyValleySprings.com (MVS) was created in response to rapid development in the rural unincorporated Valley Springs area east of Stockton and the San Joaquin Valley in the rolling Sierra Nevada foothills of western Calaveras County. Its mission is to promote responsible growth and development through public participation in community planning in order to preserve the quality of rural life in the greater Valley Springs area. Funds from CWGF were used to hire a consultant to develop a fundraising and volunteer recruitment program and a long term organizational development plan.

Norcal Environmental Student Network Carmichael ($3,500)
www.geocities.com/nesn_globe
Founded in 1998, the Norcal Environmental Student Network coordinates activities and encourages contacts between environmental and outdoor high school clubs throughout central and northern California. Through its Teenage Environmental Geospatial Action Program (TE-GAP), the Network trains high school students in the use of geospatial technology to assist organizations and agencies in collecting data to improve the stewardship of public lands, open space resources, and protect the public from environmental hazards. This CWGF grant supported a 15-student TE-GAP team to collect data points and create GIS data files on wildlands characteristics and resources in the Fort Ord Dunes near in Monterey County.

Rural Quality Foundation Nevada ($4,500)
www.ruralquality.org
Located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, the Rural Quality Foundation is dedicated to conserving and enhancing a vigorous and sustainable balance between people, the economy, and natural resources, and to advancing policies and programs that foster this balance. The grant from CGWF supports the Land Use Projects Director, the key position in implementing efforts to support sustainable community planning in the region.

San Gorgonio Wilderness Association Mentone ($3,500)
www.sgwa.org
The San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (SGWA) protects the San Bernardino National Forest of southern California, including the San Gorgonio Wilderness, and serves the public visiting the forest. These services are provided through the generous donation of time by nearly 120 volunteers and individual donations. SGWA provides patrols, programs, and maintenance supplies, as well as training to volunteers. Funds from CWGF were used train volunteers to "boss" trail maintenance and repair.

Tulare County Citizens for Responsible Growth Three Rivers ($3,500)
www.tccrg.org
Tulare County Citizens for Responsible Growth (TCCRG) is a diverse group of local residents united by concerns about the direction of future growth in Tulare County. Reflecting the expressed values and wishes of county residents, TCCRG works to ensure that future growth in Tulare County protects local economy, communities and natural resources. TCCRG supports directing growth into existing communities and protecting agricultural land and open spaces. The grant from CWGF supported the hire of a part-time coordinator to develop and advocate for a "healthy growth" alternative to Tulare County's General Plan Update.

Ventana Wilderness Alliance Santa Cruz ($3,000)
www.ventanawild.org
Founded in the summer of 1998, the Ventana Wilderness Alliance is dedicated to protecting the wildlands of California's northern Santa Lucia mountain range. Ventana's primary focus is working with the various agencies responsible for the management of local public lands, and on offering collective experience to aid these agencies in making decisions that impact local forests. Funds from CWGF supported the development of a management plan for the Milpitas Special Interest Area.

Waldo Holt San Joaquin Wildlife Conservancy, a project of the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment Stockton ($3,668)
www.waldoconservancy.org
The mission of the Waldo Holt San Joaquin Wildlife Conservancy (WHSJWC) is to preserve habitat land in San Joaquin County, one of the richest agricultural areas in the world, for wild birds, fish, animals and plants. WHSJWC, formed in 2007 by San Joaquin County residents, is attempting to acquire 4.65 acres of riparian habitat land on the Mokelumne River, in partnership with the county Parks Department, for donation as an annex to the Woodbridge Wilderness Area. The grant from CWGF supports the Conservancy's fundraising for the purchase of this riparian land.