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The Roots Program: 2 Years of Impact and Counting!

March 10, 2025

written by Emily Mecke, Roots Program Coordinator

Point Blue is excited to share some exciting updates and highlights as we wrap up Year 2 of The Roots Program! You can also always check out our StoryMap for a full list of all projects we are putting into the ground with partners across the state, as well as follow us on Instagram (@TheRootsProgram_PointBlue).

Roots 85 - San Benito County: STRAW Riparian Restoration
Roots 85 – San Benito County: STRAW Riparian Restoration | Photo Credit: Dentist Lopez/Point Blue

Program Status

The Roots Program has approved funding to 100 projects in 36 counties across California. These projects will implement over 290 restoration practices to benefit wildlife and pollinators. Almost 80% of the program’s implementation funds have been allocated, and the program is on track to allocate all funds by March 31, 2025!

Looking Ahead

In the final two years of the program, we will be focusing on implementing all the great restoration practices that have received funding! There are already over 50 projects underway, with most of the remaining projects starting this coming Spring and Fall. These projects include riparian/creek restoration, native plant hedgerows, native pollinator plantings, oak woodland enhancement, invasive species removal, wildlife structures (bird nest, bat, and owl boxes, wildlife brush piles), and many more!

Roots 134 - Sonoma County: Wildlife Habitat Plantings
Roots 134 – Sonoma County: Wildlife Habitat Plantings | Photo Credit: Colleen Mahoney/Landowner

In addition to the project implementation, Point Blue will also be evaluating the program’s performance across human and ecological dimensions to illuminate successes and learnings associated with implementing this statewide program. We are excited to have hired a Conservation Social Scientist to help evaluate the social value and barriers to participation in The Roots Program. Our goal is to use social and ecological data collected to demonstrate how the program contributes to California’s 30×30 initiative.

Want to Learn More?

Point Blue will be hosting a Movie Night on April 23, 2025 at the Boulevard 14 Cinema in Petaluma, California. Join us for a special screening of our new short film, followed by a panel discussion on The Roots Program. Info and registration link can be found here.

 

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