USDA to Invest up to $360 Million in Partner-Driven Conservation

Contact: Lauren Finnegan, Public Affairs Specialist

Phone: (732) 537-6044

Email: lauren.finnegan@usda.gov

USDA to Invest up to $360 Million in Partner-Driven Conservation

Application period has opened for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program

SOMERSET, N.J., August 28, 2020 – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today invited potential conservation partners to submit project applications for federal funding through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). NRCS will award up to $360 million dollars to locally driven, public-private partnerships that improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability.

"RCPP is a partner-driven approach to conservation utilizing a broad array of Farm Bill conservation activities. The newly expanded RCPP provides more flexible, efficient and effective ways for us to collaborate with our partners to design unique project solutions for natural resource issues and to manage project funding," said New Jersey State Conservationist Julie Hawkins.

Partners may request between $250,000 and $10 million in RCPP funding through this funding announcement. Partners are expected to offer value-added contributions to amplify the impact of RCPP funding in an amount equal or greater to the NRCS investment.

Eligible lead partners are encouraged to apply. Funding is open to private industry, non-government organizations, Indian tribes, state and local governments, water districts and universities, among others. The full list of eligible entities is available in the RCPP funding announcement.

First authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, RCPP has combined nearly $1 billion in NRCS investments with close to $2 billion in non-NRCS dollars to implement conservation practices across the nation. There are 336 active RCPP projects that have engaged more than 2,000 partners. Successful RCPP projects provide innovative conservation solutions, leverage partner contributions and offer impactful and measurable outcomes.

USDA is now accepting proposals for RCPP through the RCPP Portal. Proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 4, 2020. For more information, view the Application for Program Funding on grants.gov.

For more information about the RCPP Program, please contact the New Jersey RCPP point of contact, Nicholas Saumweber at nicholas.saumweber@usda.gov or 732-537-6045, and visit the RCPP website.

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