The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) has approved $59.5 million in grants to support 25 habitat protection and restoration projects in 21 counties across California. Awarded at WCB’s May 22 meeting, the projects will safeguard nearly 23,000 acres of the state’s most ecologically important landscapes.  Among the awards is a $14.75 million grant to the Trust for Public Land(opens in new tab) (TPL) to acquire approximately 6,475 acres near the city of Ventura. Known as Rancho Cañada Larga, the land features coastal sage scrub, native grasslands, oak woodlands, chaparral and riparian habitats that support at least 20 special-status wildlife species and eight rare plant species. The site provides critical habitat for the California red-legged frog and Southern California steelhead, and lies within the year-round range of the California condor.