USDA-NRCS and Partners in Georgia Announce New Regional Conservation Partnership Program Project Sign-Up

Release No.: 04.25

ATHENS, GA, November 5, 2024 — State Conservationist Terrance O. Rudolph, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and partner groups, announced today a sign-up for a new regionally-focused conservation project funded through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). This new project, Partnership to Advance Climate-Resilient Longleaf Restoration and Conservation on Private Lands in Alabama and Georgia is in addition to the five projects announced on October 2, 2024, and has a unique application batching date of December 2, 2024.

“This additional RCPP project is going to amplify our conservation efforts in Georgia,” said Rudolph. “It adds to a robust list of climate friendly conservation efforts happening throughout our region.”

RCPP in The Farm Bill
First authorized in the 2014 Farm Bill and reauthorized in 2018’s, RCPP takes 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. Currently, NRCS has have 375 active RCPP projects across the country with close to 2,000 partners.

How to Apply
NRCS accepts applications for conservation programs year-round, but to be included in this project’s funding batch, interested producers can apply at their local USDA Service Center by submitting a Conservation Program Application (NRCS-CPA-1200) by December 2, 2024. The projects previously announced in October, still have a batching date of November 15, 2024.

Georgia Project:
Project ID# 3118 - Partnership to Advance Climate-Resilient Longleaf Restoration and Conservation on Private Lands in Alabama and Georgia
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in partnership with The Longleaf Alliance, Alabama Wildlife Federation, Quail Forever and Tall Timbers will provide outreach, education and technical assistance to private landowners and assist willing landowners with enrollment in financial assistance contracts and implementation of practices to restore, enhance and maintain longleaf pine forest habitat to benefit wildlife, reduce wildfire risk, increase forest health and resilience, and enhance carbon sequestration and storage. The project area includes all or portions of those counties in Alabama and Georgia that fall within the historical longleaf pine range.

Land Management Activities
Private landowners in Georgia with property within the project area can apply for financial assistance through NRCS land management contracts. Priority practices include but are not limited to longleaf pine tree establishment, timber stand improvements, installation of fire breaks, prescribed fire implementation, ground cover establishment, invasive plant treatment and wildlife habitat improvement.

For More Information
More information on USDA conservation programs, visit https://www.farmers.gov/conservation or https://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.