MADISON, November 18, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are pleased to announce a new wetland mitigation program that will benefit Wisconsin farmers and protect wetlands across the state. The Wisconsin Ag Mitigation Bank (WAMB) gives farmers the opportunity to purchase credits to offset impacts to wetlands. Wetland mitigation banking is the restoration, creation or enhancement of wetlands for the purpose of compensation due to unavoidable impacts from development or agriculture. By purchasing credits, farmers will be able to stay in compliance with USDA farm programs while also ensuring a “no net loss” of wetlands.

The WAMB was co-developed by the Wisconsin DNR through a grant received from the NRCS. The DNR will administer the program in partnership with NRCS and oversee wetland mitigation projects and mitigation credit sales. If a farmer is interested in draining, filling or converting a wetland, if approved, the farmer could purchase credits from a WAMB sponsor instead of completing the mitigation themselves. The purchasing of credits would allow them to stay in compliance with the Swampbuster Provisions of the Food Security Act as amended, while improving their farming operation. 

“The WAMB is a great example of different government agencies working together. This program provides farmers an additional option for conservation compliance with the NRCS, while also protecting watersheds with quality restorations,” said Nathan Fikkert, NRCS Wisconsin State Conservationist.

Credits are generated when a landowner voluntarily creates or restores converted farmland back to wetlands as part of a wetland mitigation project. Grant funds can pay for the mitigation project, and the sponsor of the mitigation project can then sell the generated credits to interested farmers. 

“This program will help farmers while also restoring wetland wildlife habitat and improving watersheds across the state,” added Wisconsin DNR WAMB Program Coordinator Josh Brown.

To date, the WAMB has completed three mitigation projects in Dane, Ozaukee, and Milwaukee Counties totaling over 55 acres. The WAMB has grant funding available for two additional mitigation projects, and there are currently 10.4 credits available for purchase, with more expected to be available later this year.   

For more information about WAMB, please visit:  https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Wetlands/wamb or https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/wetland-mitigation-banking-program. 

More Information

To learn more about NRCS programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also apply for NRCS programs, manage conservation plans and contracts, and view and print conservation maps by logging into their farmers.gov account. If you don’t have an account, sign up today. 

For 90 years, NRCS has helped farmers, ranchers and forestland owners make investments in their operations and local communities to improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and wildlife habitat. NRCS uses the latest science and technology to help keep working lands working, boost agricultural economies, and increase the competitiveness of American agriculture. NRCS provides one-on-one, personalized advice and financial assistance and works with producers to help them reach their goals through voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs. For more information, visit nrcs.usda.gov.

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