The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Montana is accepting applications for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Entity Held Easements. To be considered for funding in the current cycle, producers and landowners should apply by October 27, 2023.

“Through conservation easements, NRCS, land trusts, and other partners leverage funding from multiple sources to help farmers and ranchers protect working agricultural lands,” said Tom Watson, NRCS State Conservationist for Montana. “Keeping working lands in working hands helps to maintain stable rural communities into the future, intact tracts of undeveloped land for wildlife habitat and migration and protects productive soils and water resources from potential impacts of development.”

The RCPP promotes coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners that offer value-added contributions to expand our collective ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. Currently, there are three RCPP Entity Held Easement projects in Montana.

Bitterroot Conservation Connectivity Project – The Bitter Root Land Trust is the lead partner in this project focused on working within three priority areas in northern Ravalli County. The project proposes to use conservation easements to protect small but critical properties that possess significant conservation values in the Bitterroot Valley. Preservation of these properties will help protect prime agricultural land, improve soil health and enhance habitat connectivity for the abundant wildlife in the Bitterroot.

Contact the Bitter Root Land Trust at 406-375-0956 to apply.

Flint Creek Valley Conservation Project – The lead partner is the Five Valleys Land Trust. The project area is in the Flint Creek Valley of Granite County. The project partners aim to conserve a critical wildlife migration corridor between the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and strengthen the valley’s agricultural economy by providing conservation easement serves and support to the area’s ag producers.

Contact the Five Valleys Land Trust at 406-549-0755 to apply.

Missouri Headwaters and Lower Gallatin Basin (Gallatin Valley Project) – The Gallatin Valley Land Trust is the lead partner in this project that encompasses the lower portion of the Gallatin Basin, extending into the headwaters of the Missouri River at the confluence of the Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson rivers. This project focuses conservation efforts on purchasing conservation easements from willing landowners in the valley to protect water quality, prime farmland, and reduce urban sprawl. 

Contact the Gallatin Valley Land Trust at 406-587-8404 to apply.

NRCS accepts conservation program applications year-round; however, applications for the next funding consideration must be submitted by October 27, 2023. Applications made after that date will be considered in the next funding cycle. Additional information about each RCPP project is available on the NRCS Montana website. Visit nrcs.usda.gov/montana and scroll down to State Programs and Initiatives. Or contact your local USDA service center.