Forest Landowners in Rhode Island eligible for funding to permanently protect their land

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USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

October 11, 2024

Contact

Marina Capraro, RCPP Coordinator
401-572-5147 or marina.capraro@usda.gov

Forest Landowners in Rhode Island eligible for funding to permanently protect their land

Apply by November 13, 2024, to be eligible for our FY2025 signup

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces that the RI Forest Health Works RCPP Project is now accepting applications for funding for fiscal year 2025. The RI Forest Health Works Project is a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) agreement between NRCS, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Division of Forest Environment and ten partners. This partnership will leverage over $4M of federal funds over 5 years to protect critical forests across Rhode Island. This year project partners will hold separate application ranking cutoff dates for our two different program options.

Program Options

The RI Forest Health Works RCPP Project provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve forest lands and their related benefits through U.S.-Held Easements that allow eligible landowners to enter into direct contracts with NRCS to place conservation easements on their land to protect critical forestlands. Applications can be submitted through the November 13, 2024, ranking cut-off.

Applications will be ranked according to their contribution to the RCPP project goals of protecting forest land, water quality, and wildlife habitat.

Applying for Assistance

Funding is provided through a competitive process. NRCS accepts applications for its conservation programs year-round but sets state-specific ranking dates to evaluate applications for funding. These dates account for producer needs, staff workload and ensure potential participants have ample opportunity to apply. Interested participants and entities should apply by the ranking cutoff date listed above to be considered for funding in the current cycle. Applications received after this ranking date will be automatically deferred to the next funding period.

For help applying for the RI Forest Health Works RCPP Project announcement for U.S.-held easements, contact Samantha Thibault, Conservation Planner, at Samantha.Thibault@usda.gov. NRCS is a federal agency that works hand-in-hand with conservation districts and the people of Rhode Island to improve and protect soil, water, air, plants, animals and other natural resources. For more information, visit www.ri.nrcs.usda.gov.

Call NRCS Rhode Island today to see how we can help you help your land!

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

NRCS Rhode Island

60 Quaker Lane, Suite 46
Warwick, RI 02886
Phone: 401-828-8848
www.RI.nrcs.usda.gov

Eastern RI NRCS Field Office
Ghyllian Alger, NRCS District Conservationist 
401-822-8835 or Ghyllian.Alger@usda.gov

Eastern RI Conservation District
Serving Newport and Bristol counties
Conservation District Office:
401-934-0842 or  
info@easternriconservation.org

Northern RI NRCS Field Office
Kate Bousquet, NRCS District Conservationist
401-822-8814 or Kate.Bousquet@usda.gov

Northern RI Conservation District
Serving Providence County
Conservation District Office:
401-934-0840 or mallard.nricd@gmail.com

Southern RI NRCS Field Office
Jameson Long, NRCS District Conservationist
401-822-8837 or Jameson.Long@usda.gov

Southern RI Conservation District
Serving Kent and Washington counties
Conservation District Office:
401-661-5761 or gfuller@sricd.org

Helping People Help the Land.