The United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has announced the availability of $17.5 million in financial and technical assistance nationwide to help eligible conservation partners voluntarily protect, restore and enhance critical wetlands.
“ USDA has leveraged partnerships to accomplish a great deal on America’s wetlands over the past two decades ,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “ This year’s funding will help strengthen these partnerships and achieve greater wetland acreage throughout the nation.”
Funding will be provided through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP), a special enrollment option under the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program’s Wetland Reserve Easement component.
It is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Wetland reserve easements allow landowners to successfully enhance and protect habitat for wildlife on their lands, reduce impacts from flooding, recharge groundwater and provide outdoor recreational and educational opportunities.