Announcements
Apply for a Conservation Innovation Grant
Do you or your organization have an innovative idea for solving a conservation challenge? Looking for a funding partner to help turn your idea into reality? USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to help.
On April 28, NRCS released the latest national Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) funding announcement, which makes available up to $15 million for CIG Classic projects in 2020. Applications are accepted for innovative conservation projects that address at least one of the following 2020 priorities: 1) water reuse, 2.) water quality, 3.) air quality, 4.) energy conservation, or 5.) wildlife habitat.
Grant proposals are accepted through June 29, 2020.
Read the News Release
USDA Invests More Than $200 Million in Partner-Driven Projects that Protect Natural Resources
 On April 16, 2020 NRCS announced it is investing in 48 conservation projects across 29 states through its Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). NRCS will award $206 million for these 48 RCPP projects while leveraging nearly $300 million in partner contributions. These projects were funded under the FY 2019 RCPP Classic funding opportunity.
For details on the exciting new projects, see the full press release and our interactive map.
The next funding opportunity will be released later this summer.
Success Spotlight
CIG Helps Develop a Market-Based Tool for Groundwater Conservation
 In 2017, the Nature Conservancy (TNC) received a $1.8 million Conservation Innovation Grant from NRCS to help develop the Fox Canyon Water Market. This grant enabled TNC to provide essential support for Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency and project partner California Lutheran University in their effort to establish a market-driven and producer-lead approach to reduce groundwater pumping.
The market exchange opened in March 2020. Still in a pilot phase, the market has seen 58 acre-feet of pumping allocations change hands, with more expected as the end of the water year approaches.
Read about this market-based approach to achieve water conservation.
RCPP and the Golden-Winged Warbler
Early in the morning, if you listen intently, the distinct song of the Golden-winged Warbler can be heard on the five acres of recently sheared tag alder in Marinette County, Wisconsin. Through an RCPP project, Jim and Katie Matykowski managed their tag alder to create early successional habitat for the Warbler, helping to bring back the population from decline.
Read the full story.
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Past Projects Driving Future Innovation
Conservation Innovation in the News
Check out the latest updates from our partners and the media on how RCPP and CIG projects are advancing innovative conservation approaches and technologies.
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