The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reports it has started a process to evaluate California’s wolf-livestock compensation program. Between February 2022 and February 2026, the department has granted more than $600,000 to Plumas County ranchers in the form of direct loss compensation, pay-for-presence efforts and deterrent tools.
On Feb. 23, CDFW held a workshop with a group of stakeholder representatives focused on how best to assess the program to inform potential adjustments to future applications and funding opportunities.
The purpose of the workshop was to identify a transparent and collaborative process for evaluating the existing WLCP. The discussion marked the first step in gathering input and perspectives from key stakeholder groups involved in livestock production, wolf conservation and research, as well as government agencies, said CDFW.
CDFW recognizes that the WLCP affects a wide range of interests. Participants were selected based on their previous involvement in the development of the program, their authority and expertise, and their roles representing multiple interested and affected stakeholders. During the workshop, attendees helped identify an evaluation process designed to ensure transparency while providing opportunities for public review and input.
Invited participants included representatives from
- California Farm Bureau
- California Cattlemen’s Association
- Western Landowners Alliance
- California Wool Growers Association
- Rural County Representatives of California
- University of California Cooperative Extension
- University of California, Berkeley
- Defenders of Wildlife
- California Wolf Foundation
- California Center for Biological Diversity
- Working Circle
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
CDFW representatives said the agency will continue working with these groups and the public as the evaluation process moves forward.
Since its inception as a pilot program in 2021, CDFW’s wolf-livestock compensation program has paid out more than $3.5 million to livestock producers whose operations have been impacted by the return of gray wolves to California.
More information about the evaluation process, timeline and opportunities to participate is available on CDFW’s wolf livestock compensation grants webpage.
