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NRCS in Utah Investing $7 Million in Partner-Driven, Locally led Conservation
SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 12, 2022 – The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is awarding $7,850,000 to the Bear River Land Conservancy through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP is a partner-driven program that leverages partner resources to advance innovative projects that address climate change, enhance water quality, and address other critical challenges on agricultural land.
“It is an honor to partner with others in Bear River Watershed to support agriculture and habitat conservation in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming,” said Trisha Cracroft, Acting State Conservationist for NRCS Utah. “Through RCPP, this partnership will combine conservation easements and land management activities to protect and connect terrestrial, riparian, and aquatic habitats, and preserve working lands as a viable component of the landscape.”
“We are excited to collaborate with the NRCS and our partners to utilize RCPP funding as one critical component of a larger objective to conserve working lands and habitat throughout the Bear River Watershed,” said Gabriel Murray, Operations Manager at Bear River Land Conservancy.
Other projects funded today are awarded under two different RCPP funding opportunities: RCPP Classic and RCPP Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA). RCPP Classic projects are implemented using NRCS contracts and easements with producers, landowners and communities, in collaboration with project partners. Through RCPP AFA, partners have more flexibility in working directly with agricultural producers to support the development of new conservation structures and approaches that would not otherwise be available under RCPP Classic.
See the list of 2022 RCPP projects here or view the interactive map.
As part of each project, partners offer value-added contributions to amplify the impact of RCPP funding in an amount equal to or greater than the NRCS investment.
Private landowners can apply to participate in an RCPP project in their region through awarded partners or at their local USDA service center.
More Information
First authorized in the 2014 Farm Bill, RCPP has leveraged partner contributions of more than $1 for every $1 invested by USDA, resulting in nearly $3 billion collectively invested in natural resource conservation on private lands. Since inception, RCPP has made 589 awards involving over 3,000 partner organizations. Currently there are 401 active projects, with at least one active project in every state and area. Successful RCPP projects provide innovative conservation solutions, leverage partner contributions and offer impactful and measurable outcomes.
For more information about RCPP, visit the NRCS website.
RCPP is part of NRCS’ broader effort to engage partners. For example, NRCS recently announced it will invest $35 million this year through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. Through CIG, grantees work to address our nation's water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while supporting agricultural production.
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