Contact:
Kristi Harper
PALMER, Alaska - August 7, 2020 – Up to $360 million is available to partner organizations such as private industry, tribes, state and local governments, universities and more through USDA's Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).
RCPP awards federal dollars with a partner match for locally driven, public-private partnerships that improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability.
“In Alaska, we have partnered with several Alaska Native organizations and most recently with The Conservation Fund to invest in RCPP projects that protect critical wetland habitats, improve forest health and fish passage, increase local food security, and maintain resilient ecosystems in various communities across the state," said NRCS Alaska State Conservationist Alan McBee. "The 2018 Farm Bill expanded RCPP so that now it's a stand-alone program with even more flexibility. We encourage Alaska's conservation partners to reach out to us about their ideas and submit proposals for this opportunity."
Partners may request between $250,000 and $10 million in RCPP funding through this recent funding announcement, which combines both the fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2021 funding amounts into one solicitation. Partners are expected to offer value-added contributions to amplify the impact of RCPP funding in an amount equal or greater to the NRCS investment.
Eligible lead partners are encouraged to apply. Funding is open to private industry, non-government organizations, Indian tribes, Alaska Native organizations, state and local governments, water districts and universities, among others. The full list of eligible entities is available in the Application for Program Funding on grants.gov.
USDA is now accepting proposals for RCPP through the RCPP portal. Proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Nov. 4, 2020.
A webinar with general program information for RCPP applicants is scheduled for 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Aug. 27, 2020. Visit the RCPP website for information on how to participate.
First authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, RCPP has combined nearly $1 billion in NRCS investments with close to $2 billion in non-NRCS dollars to implement conservation practices across the nation. There are 336 active RCPP projects that have engaged more than 2,000 partners. Successful RCPP projects provide innovative conservation solutions, leverage partner contributions and offer impactful and measurable outcomes.
In Alaska, more than $8 million has been invested in five projects since RCPP began in the 2014 Farm Bill:
- Tanana River Watershed Partnership ($1.2 million awarded to The Conservation Fund)
- Hoonah Native Forest Lands Partnership ($1.8 million awarded to Sealaska Corporation)
- Implementing Education, Outreach and Conservation Practices on Tribal Land for Socially Disadvantaged Producers and Alaska Tribal Conservation Districts ($1.4 million awarded to Tyonek Tribal Conservation District)
- Keex' Kwaan' Community Forest Partnership ($2 million awarded to Sealaska Corporation)
- Copper Basin Subsistence Landscape Resiliency ($1.7 million awarded to Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission, CRITR)
For more information or to discuss an RCPP project proposal idea in Alaska, contact the NRCS Alaska RCPP Coordinator, Kristi Harper at Kristine.Harper@usda.gov.
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