California Department of Fish and Wildlife

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is the lead agency for conserving California’s fish, wildlife and habitat resources.

CDFW's mission is to manage California’s diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and their use and enjoyment by the public. In keeping with this mission, CDFW created the Climate Science and Renewable Energy Branch to address climate change adaptation and mitigation and renewable energy development to protect not only fish, wildlife, and habitats, but the economy and citizens of California.

One of the Department's Climate Science Program priorities is to develop a collective vision for climate change adaptation planning across the state, focusing on biodiversity conservation. The program also creates and maintains climate change partnerships through collaboration and coordination with national, regional, and local agencies and organizations - to prioritize research needs and ensure that the best available science is informing management actions.

The Climate Science Program operates the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments Resources Center, the Climate College (a lecture series on climate change as it relates to the mission of CDFW), and provides a number of climate related case studies - all of which can be accessed on their website. 

Phone: (916) 205-9478

Sectors:

• Biodiversity and ecosystems
• Coastal
• Fish and fisheries
• Wildlife

Related Organizations:

• Climate Science Alliance - South Coast

Related Resources:

• Taking Action: A Progress Report on the National Fish, Wildlife and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy
• CA EO B-54-18: Safeguarding California plants, wildlife and ecosystems from climate change
• California Dept. of Fish and Game Climate Science Program
• California State Wildlife Action Plan 2015 Update
• California Biodiversity Initiative: A Roadmap for Protecting the State’s Natural Heritage