USDA
Seeks New Partnerships to Safeguard, Restore Wetland Ecosystems
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[July 27, 2021]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will
invest up to $17 million for conservation partners to help protect
and restore critical wetlands on agricultural lands through the
Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP). USDA’s Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is prioritizing proposals that
focus on assisting historically underserved producers conserving
wetlands. Proposals from partners are due August 15, 2021. Restored
wetlands help to improve water quality downstream, enhance wildlife
habitat, reduce impacts from flooding and provide recreational
benefits.
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“Our goal is to support agricultural producers in their efforts
to conserve natural resources on their land,” said Ivan Dozier,
State Conservationist in Illinois. “Wetland Reserve Enhancement
Partnerships help partners and producers work together to
protect wetland ecosystems on working lands.”
Through WREP projects, eligible conservation partners protect,
restore and enhance high-priority wetlands on agriculture lands.
WREP enables effective integration of wetland restoration on
working agricultural landscapes, providing meaningful benefits
to farmers and ranchers who enroll in the program and to the
communities where the wetlands exist. Eligible partners include
state and local governments and non-government organizations.
WREP partners are required to contribute a financial or
technical assistance fund match.
WREP funding is for fiscal year 2022 which begins October 1,
2021.
How to Apply
Partners interested in applying should contact their NRCS state
office for more information. Proposals are due by August 15,
2021. Partners looking to learn more about opportunities for
WREP funding for fiscal year 2022 are encouraged to attend the
WREP workshop on July 15, 2021 at 1 p.m. EST. Partners
interested in attending should contact WREP Program Manager,
Lisa McCauley at lisa.mccauley@usda.gov.
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More Information
Funding will be provided through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement
Partnership (WREP), part of the Agricultural Conservation Easement
Program (ACEP), a Farm Bill conservation program. Through WREP,
states, local units of governments, and non-governmental collaborate
with NRCS through cooperative and partnership agreements. These
partners work with private landowners who voluntarily enroll
eligible land into easements to protect, restore and enhance
wetlands on their properties.
Wetland reserve easements enable landowners to successfully reduce
impacts from flooding, recharge groundwater, enhance and protect
wildlife habitat and provide outdoor recreational and educational
opportunities. Partners benefit from WREP by targeting outreach and
enrollment priorities supported by NRCS, including places impacted
by natural disasters.
[Paige Buck
Public Affairs Officer
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service]
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