MENDOCINO COUNTY, 9/18/25 – A new initiative spearheaded by the cannabis industry aims to restore over 40 watersheds in Northern California, focusing on sediment control and environmental conservation. The project, announced by the nonprofit Cannabis for Conservation (CFC), is set to commence this month following a grant from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).
The program, titled ‘Sediment Reduction on Cannabis Farms in Priority Northern Watersheds,’ will support 557 projects across 41 key watersheds that contribute to the Eel, Mad, Trinity, and Mattole rivers over the next three years. CFC’s mission is to address the harmful effects of sedimentation, which is a major factor in the degradation of aquatic habitats and water quality in California.
Jackee Riccio, the executive director and co-founder of CFC, highlighted the challenges posed by sedimentation, stating, “Sedimentation from rural roads, eroding slopes, and bare soils is a leading cause of aquatic habitat degradation in the state.” The restoration efforts will include stabilizing roads, restoring streambanks, and replanting native vegetation, which are essential for improving water quality and creating a healthier environment for salmon and amphibians.
The CFC is utilizing funds from the CDFW’s Cannabis Restoration Grant Program, which is financed through cannabis tax revenue. This grant program supports projects aimed at ecosystem restoration across the state. Collaborations will occur among cannabis cultivators, environmental groups, contractors, and regulators at 105 cannabis sites within the targeted watersheds, including areas in Mendocino County.
Key projects will involve upgrading stream culverts to enhance stream function and species migration, restoring fish-bearing stream beds and banks, decommissioning onstream ponds that disrupt flow and contribute to sedimentation, and revegetating with native plants.
Vanessa Salamon, project manager for CFC, emphasized the importance of focusing on private lands for restoration efforts. She stated, “Restoration on private lands, including historically used cannabis areas, is one of the most effective strategies for improving watershed health. We are collaborating directly with landowners to convert past impacts into future solutions.”
This partnership between cannabis growers and conservationists marks a notable step in using the cannabis industry’s resources and knowledge to address environmental challenges in Northern California, ensuring that both agriculture and ecosystems can thrive together.
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