USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces that it is accepting applications for the Alabama Black Belt Landscapes Pilot Initiative

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces that it is accepting applications for the Alabama Black Belt Landscapes Pilot Initiative 

AUBURN, ALABAMA, July 22, 2024 – Alabama State Conservationist, Ben Malone, with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces that it is accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Alabama Black Belt Landscapes Initiative Pilot through August 21, 2024 via ACT NOW.

Alabama NRCS is partnering with the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee (ALSWCC) and the Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF) to restore and enhance Black Belt Prairie ecosystems to support biodiversity, terrestrial habitat and improve carbon sequestration.  The primary objective is to establish and maintain carbon-rich ecosystems by restoring deep-rooted native species from existing soil seed banks contributing to the reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Conservation practices will be used to remove woody encroachment, treat invasive species, and reintroduce fire to regerminate the existing native seedbank. Native trees, grasses, forbs, and shrubs may also be planted to support terrestrial and riparian habitats. Additional benefits will be realized through prescribed grazing and associated infrastructure. Eligible conservation practices include brush management, prescribed burning, riparian forest buffers, prescribed grazing, pasture and hay planting and invasive species control. See pilot guidance document (below) for additional eligible conservation practices and program information. 

Priority will be given to Blackbelt Prairie soils (see map below). Those interested within the priority counties (see map below) should contact their local NRCS Field office in the county where the land is located.  You can locate your local Service Center at http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov. The eligible counties include Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Crenshaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, and Wilcox.

For more information about Alabama NRCS and Programmatic initiatives, priorities and assessment/ranking criteria, visit online at www.al.nrcs.usda.gov. Additionally, visit your local USDA Service Center to determine eligibility; applicants are not eligible for USDA programs until they have ensured all Farm Bill eligibility requirements have been met.                

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

Project Area and Blackland Prairie Soils Map

Pilot Guidance