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NRCS New Mexico Announces January 19, 2024, Deadline to Sign Up for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)

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USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in New Mexico announced today the January 19, 2024, deadline to sign up for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).   

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in New Mexico announced today the January 19, 2024, deadline to sign up for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).   

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. RCPP provides a targeted, science-based approach to restoring and protecting habitat while strengthening rural economies and cultivating collaboration among conservation partners. By leveraging collective resources and collaborating on common goals, RCPP demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships in delivering results for agriculture and conservation.  

In New Mexico, the following projects, listed below, will receive over $3 Million combined in funding through RCPP. Partner organizations will also receive money to help provide technical assistance for these projects.  

2018 San Juan Non-Native Phreatophyte Removal Program (RCCP #1893) 

  • Lead Partner: San Juan Soil and Water Conservation District 
  • The San Juan Soil and Water Conservation District aims to reduce wildfire risk by removing non-native Russian olive and Salt Cedar infestations in identified high-priority areas. The project will also undertake native plant and tree restoration activities to help restore riparian habitat and improve hydrology, involve the community in restoration and monitoring activities, and encourage a renewed connection with the river. 

2018 Eastern New Mexico Prairie Grassland Initiative (RCPP #1905) 

  • Lead Partner: New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts 
  • This project will increase suitable and occupied habitats to meet the critical habitat needs of Lesser Prairie-chicken. Habitat improvements will occur through chemical and physical destruction of Mesquite patches across five priority areas identified using a mesquite density model and a study by scientists at New Mexico State University. 

2018 North Central NM Watershed Restoration Project (RCPP #2137 and #2679) 

  • Lead Partner: Claunch Pinto Soil and Water Conservation District 
  • Claunch-Pinto SWCD and its partners have identified over 35,000 acres for forest restoration treatments on private, public, state and tribal lands that are located within both the upland ponderosa pine, pinon, and juniper watersheds, and in the lower elevation riparian ones. Claunch-Pinto SWCD and its partners are committed to successful restoration treatments aimed at improving watershed health and mitigating the extreme risk of wildfire. 

2014 Building Resiliency in the San Juan/Rio Chama (RCPP- CSP #1542) 

  • Lead Partner: East Rio Arriba Soil and Water Conservation District 
  • Partners in the San Juan/Rio Chama region of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico will complete conservation projects to enhance the watersheds that serve the San Juan-Chama Diversion Project, which provides one-third of New Mexico’s water supply. A diverse group of private landowners, non-governmental organizations, and agencies have recognized the condition of the forested watersheds, their potential for catastrophic fires, and subsequent environmental disaster, and has prompted a unique partnership to initiate action to address this looming situation.  

Producers can apply by visiting their local USDA Service Center and submitting their Conservation Program Application (NRCS-CPA-1200). Producers who have established profiles on farmers.com may submit their applications online. Producers need to receive a farm and tract number from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) by the application deadline.   

NRCS provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain and improve our natural resources and environment. You can find more information about RCPP at the RCPP New Mexico webpage. For more information about NRCS New Mexico visit NRCS New Mexico

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