The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) wants to remind landowners and eligible entities in the state that applications are still being accepted for Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) and Agricultural Land Easements (ALE). Sign-up for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) funding runs until December 20, 2024.
The ALE helps private and Tribal landowners, land trusts, and other entities (such as state and local governments) to protect croplands and grasslands on working farms and ranches by limiting non-agricultural uses of the land through conservation easements.
The WRE helps private and Tribal landowners protect, restore, and enhance wetlands which have been previously degraded due to agricultural uses.
For IRA ACEP-ALE, NRCS-FL is prioritizing and securing the following:
- Grasslands in areas of highest risk for conversion to non-grassland uses, in order to prevent the release of soil carbon stores.?
- Agricultural lands under the threat of conversion to non-agricultural uses.?
For IRA ACEP-WRE, NRCS-FL is prioritizing the following:
- Land with soils high in organic carbon.?
- Former or degraded wetlands that occur on lands that have been or are being used for the production of food and fiber, including rangeland, pastureland, and hayland.
- Forest production lands, where the hydrology has been significantly degraded or modified.?
Eligible landowners may choose to enroll in a permanent or 30-year WRE easement. Tribal landowners have the option of enrolling in 30-year contracts.
Applications can be submitted at any time, but to be considered for the FY 2025 IRA funding opportunities, completed applications must be received by December 20, 2024. Applications received after that date will be considered for the FY 2025 General Easements sign-up continuation. The deadline for the General Easements signup is January 31, 2025.
To learn more, contact NRCS programs at your local USDA Service Center.