Over the years, the California Natural Resources Agency has administered a suite of programs including the California River Parkways Program, Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program, and the Strategic Growth Council’s Urban Greening Program under Proposition 84. These programs funded projects that provided a wide variety of benefits such as environmental, health, and community revitalization throughout the State. The Urban Greening Program, funded by the GGRF, continues the legacy of these programs but with a specific focus of achieving greenhouse gas reductions. Consistent with AB 32, the Urban Greening Program will fund projects that reduce greenhouse gases by sequestering carbon, decreasing energy consumption and reducing vehicle miles traveled, while also transforming the built environment into places that are more sustainable, enjoyable, and effective in creating healthy and vibrant communities. These projects will establish and enhance parks and open space, using natural solutions to improving air and water quality and reducing energy consumption, and creating more walkable and bike-able trails.

Eligible urban greening projects will reduce GHG emissions and provide multiple additional benefits, including, but not limited to, a decrease in air and water pollution or a reduction in the consumption of natural resources and energy. Eligible projects will result in the conversion of an existing built environment into green space that uses natural and green infrastructure approaches to create sustainable and vibrant communities. A competitive project will maximize opportunities to reduce GHG emissions through project design and implementation as well as incorporate green infrastructure solutions that improve the sustainability and function of existing urban hardscapes and landscapes.

In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, SB 859 requires all projects to achieve
measurable benefits. Per statute, all projects must do at least one of the following-
• Acquire, create, enhance, or expand community parks and green spaces, and/or
• Use natural systems or systems that mimic natural systems to achieve multiple benefits.

Grant Funds will be awarded to a city, county, special district, nonprofit organization, or an agency or entity formed pursuant to the Joint Exercise of Powers Act if at least one of the parties to the joint powers agreement qualifies as an eligible applicant, notwithstanding the Joint Exercise of Powers Act.