The California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation (Foundation), is now accepting applications for the Fall 2026 Bid4Birds habitat program.
The Bid4Birds Program focuses on extending the flooding period in rice fields for the benefit of waterbirds, particularly shorebirds. A variety of waterbirds arrive in the late summer or early fall when most rice fields are growing rice and wetlands are dry. Providing flooded habitat during this time is especially critical.
In the fall, Bid4Birds provides incentive payments for growers to implement shallow flooding on their rice fields for 3-4 weeks plus an evaporative drawdown, between July 15 and October 7. The Foundation solicits participants through an auction in which growers submit bids based on an assessment of their costs to provide this critical habitat. The Bid4Birds Habitat Selection Committee, including representatives from Audubon California, California Rice Commission, Point Blue Conservation Science, and The Nature Conservancy, will assess bids in a standardized way using data on when and where birds need the habitat most.
Fall Program Key Details:
- Application Period: May 15 to June 10, 2026
- Approximate level of funding: $100,000 (although we may receive additional funding in time to increase this)
- Payment rates vary and are generated by the grower, based on their individual costs of providing the habitat.
Habitat Details:
- Time period: July 15 to October 7, 2026
- Duration: maintain flooding for 3- or 4-week contract period plus an evaporative drawdown
- Flooding: maximum of 4 inches throughout contract period
- Vegetation management is required – fields must have little to no standing vegetation or crop residue
- Contracts are ranked on timing, habitat quality, and price
Bids can be submitted through the Foundation website from May 15 to June 10, 2026.
Special Note: The Migratory Bird Conservation Partnership is planning to implement a 2026 BirdReturns – Late Summer Farmlands Program. Last year, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife secured state funding to support BirdReturns programs over the next several years. While there is still some uncertainty about when these funds will become available, the MBCP aims to open the application period in June. Please see www.birdreturns.org for the most up to date information.
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.
