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Partners in Conservation

Partner With Us

Conserving our natural resources is not a one-person job. NRCS succeeds through its partnerships, working closely with individual farmers and ranchers, landowners, local conservation districts, government agencies, Tribes, Earth Team volunteers and many other people and groups.

On this page:

Types of Partners

Partnerships allow our agency to expand the reach and depth of conservation. The federal, state, and nonprofit groups that comprise our conservation partnerships have a diversity of expertise in discipline, location/area, and focus. As partners in conservation, these groups share their unique areas of expertise and conservation work to put more conservation on the land.

  • Conservation districts
  • Local communities
  • State and federal agencies
  • NRCS Earth Team volunteers
  • Agricultural and environmental groups
  • Conservation Districts Employees 
  • Professional societies
  • Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils
  • Universities
  • Conservation organizations
  • Agribusiness
  • Sportsman Groups

Partnership Members

Learn about other NRCS partners.

Partnership Programs

NRCS offers a variety of partnership programs, including the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG).

RCPP

RCPP is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. By leveraging collective resources and collaborating on common goals, RCPP demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships in delivering results for agriculture and conservation.

CIG

CIG is a competitive program that supports the development of new tools, approaches, practices, and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands. Through creative problem solving and innovation, CIG partners work to address our nation's water quality, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while improving agricultural operations.

Other Programs

NRCS also administers other program opportunities for partners, including the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program and Wetland Mitigation Banking Program

Outreach and Education

NRCS is committed to ensuring all programs and services are made accessible to all NRCS customers, fairly and equitably, with emphasis on reaching the underserved and socially disadvantaged agricultural producers. The Outreach and Partnerships Division as well as a network of outreach specialists across the country work with stakeholders, partners and producers to ensure producers are aware of opportunities. 

Volunteer with NRCS

Since 1985, NRCS has offered a volunteer program, called Earth Team volunteers. Volunteers across the nation help NRCS accomplish its mission to provide conservation resources to farmers, ranchers, and forest owners.