USDA has announced the availability of up to $260 million for partner proposals to improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. And USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida is hoping to see even more applications for this round of Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) funding.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla., March 11, 2016 –USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today the availability of up to $260 million for partner proposals to improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. The funding is being made available through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) for fiscal year 2017 and applicants must be able to match the federal award with private or local funds. Pre-proposals are due May 10.
Created by the 2014 Farm Bill, RCPP investments of nearly $600 million have already driven 199 partner-led projects, including 7 projects in Florida. The program leverages partnerships that can include private companies, local and tribal governments, universities, non-profits and other non-government partners to work with farmers, ranchers and forest landowners on landscape- and watershed-scale conservation solutions. This will be the third round of funding through RCPP.
“We recognize the growing interest in leveraging private capital markets to foster impact investments in conservation, sustainable agriculture and forestry,” said Russell Morgan, Florida NRCS state conservationist. “For this new round, we hope to see even more applications that support the development of environmental markets and conservation finance projects.”
For more information on applying, visit the RCPP website.
To learn more about the technical and financial assistance available through conservation programs, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted. Learn more at your local NRCS office.