NAFB – The Department of Agriculture is investing up to $17 million for conservation partners to help protect and restore critical wetlands on agricultural lands.

Through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service announced Wednesday it is prioritizing proposals that focus on assisting historically underserved producers conserving wetlands. USDA says restored wetlands help to improve water quality downstream, enhance wildlife habitat, reduce impacts from flooding and provide recreational benefits.

NRCS Chief Terry Cosby states, “Our goal is to support agricultural producers in their efforts to conserve natural resources on their land.” The program enables effective integration of wetland restoration on working agricultural landscapes, providing benefits to farmers and ranchers who enroll in the program and to the communities where the wetlands exist. The funding is for fiscal year 2022, which begins on October 1, 2021. P

Partners interested in applying should contact their NRCS state office for more information. Proposals are due by August 15, 2021.