The California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation is now accepting applications for its Spring 2025 Bid4Birds Program. Applications are submitted through the Foundation website and the enrollment window will be open until Monday, January 13, 2025.
Key Details:
- Incentive payments for growers to implement shallow flooding for shorebirds
- Payment rates vary and are generated by the grower, based on the costs of providing the habitat.
- Contracts: 4 to 12 week commitments
- Timeline: February 15 to April 30, 2025
- Flooding: mudflat to a maximum of 4 inches throughout the contract period
- Field preparations required – minimal vegetation allowed
- Contracts are ranked on timing, habitat quality, and price (flooding later ranks higher)
If you have any questions about the program or would just like to learn more, please visit the Bid4Birds webpage or contact Kristin Sesser, Wildlife Programs Manager with the California Rice Commission at (916) 607-8988 or ksesser@calrice.org.
