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Florida Agricultural Landowners Encouraged to Apply for Regional Conservation Partnership Program Entity Held Easement Program

Current Funding Cycle Application Deadline is April 5, 2024
Publish Date
Florida Pond with trees, blue sky.

Florida landowners interested in aligning their land uses with conservation values and practices have an opportunity to apply for Entity Held Conservation Easement opportunities in partnership with USDA NRCS and Tall Timbers Research, Inc. through April 5th.

GAINESVILLE, Florida – March 4, 2024 – Florida landowners interested in aligning their land uses with conservation values and practices have an opportunity to apply for Entity Held Conservation Easements  opportunities in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Tall Timbers Research, Inc. in Florida beginning March 4th. Landowners who applied for the recent Florida Department of Consumer Services (FDACS) Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP) cycle are encouraged to apply for potential match opportunities. Those who are within and/or touching the boundary (see map) are eligible.

Applications for the fiscal year 2024 through the NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) will be accepted and evaluated by NRCS and Tall Timbers Research, Inc. through April 5, 2024. FDACS will be involved in potential match negotiations. Tall Timbers Research, Inc. and NRCS accept conservation easement applications year-round; however, applications received after April 5th, will be considered for the following sign-up period, as funding allows.

The RCPP is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. 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.

The state’s RFLPP enthusiastically partners with Tall Timbers Research, Inc. and others when federal funds, such as RCPP, are involved. Those funding partnerships help move projects into a priority work plan for the FDACS, which means the conservation easements can be acquired more quickly.

“NRCS Florida is proud to be partnered with Tall Timbers,” said Juan Hernandez, NRCS Florida State Conservationist. NRCS will offer partner assisted conservation in the Red Hills to the Coast project area.

Map of USDA NRCS RCPP, Tall Timbers' Red Hills to the Coast project area in Florida
Tall Timbers – Red Hills to the Coast Map:  The project area (in blue and red) includes portions of Leon, Jefferson, Madison, Wakulla, and Taylor Counties. The focus of this project is implementing exemplary land management practices that serve to enhance, conserve and steward natural plant communities, wildlife habitats, and water resources. 

Application Requirements
Applicants will need to provide records and forms necessary to establish farm records and certifications outlined below:

If you are a landowner interested in conserving your land in partnership with Tall Timbers Research, Inc. and NRCS, please contact:

Leslie Elmore, Project Coordinator, at lelmore@talltimbers.org or 850-868-0270. 
Shane Wellendorf, at swell@talltimbers.org or 850-508-5440. 
Michael Ruiz, NRCS RCPP-Easements, at michael.ruiz@usda.gov or (352) 338-9566.

 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Contacts: 
Hilary Barnhart, Partnerships & Initiatives, Hilary.Barnhart@usda.gov
Denise Liggett, RCPP Coordinator, Denise.Liggett@usda.gov 
Mike Ruiz, RCPP Easement Specialist, michael.ruiz@usda.gov