The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced a historic $1.5 billion for 92 partner-driven conservation projects through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. Partners will provide $968 million in contributions to amplify the impact of the federal investment. Selected RCPP projects will help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners adopt and expand voluntary, locally led conservation strategies to enhance natural resources while tackling the climate crisis.
Today’s investment is made with funding available through the Farm Bill and the Inflation Reduction Act. This has enabled the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to boost funding for RCPP. In total, the Inflation Reduction Act provides $19.5 billion to support USDA’s oversubscribed conservation programs, including $4.95 billion for RCPP.
The projects support priorities in conservation and climate and can save farmers money and increase productivity. In Alabama, $17,525,000 will be going to the Alabama Soil & Water Conservation Committee for a project titled, “Restoring Alabama’s Black Belt Prairie Landscapes”. The primary goal of this project is to restore and enhance the Black Belt Prairie ecosystem to support biodiversity, improve soil carbon sequestration and provide economic and social benefits. The objectives include terrestrial habitat and biodiversity enhancement, soil carbon sequestration and social and economic benefits. NRCS climate-smart and other practices will be used to remove woody encroachment, treat invasive species, and reintroduce fire, which will re-germinate the native seedbank.
By leveraging collective resources and collaborating on common goals, RCPP demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships in delivering results for agriculture and conservation.
Projects are being awarded under both 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, the lead partner works directly with agricultural producers to support the development of innovative conservation approaches that would not otherwise be available under RCPP Classic.
Click here (.pdf) to see the entire list of projects awarded.