Sign up for wetland, agricultural land conservation easements

Sign up for wetland, agricultural land conservation easements  

 

GAINESVILLE, Fl., March 3, 2015 – Applications are being accepted for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Agricultural Conservation Easements Program (ACEP), which provides financial and technical assistance for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to establish conservation easements. 

The program funds easements for wetlands and agricultural lands. Wetland reserve easements restore, protect and enhance wetlands on privately owned and tribal land. Eligible lands include farmed or converted wetlands that can be successfully and cost-effectively restored.

 

NRCS provides financial assistance to partners for purchasing agricultural land easements that protect the agricultural use of cropland, rangeland, grassland, pastureland and nonindustrial private forestland. Partners include Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland or grassland protection programs.

 

Contact your local NRCS office to find out how to apply or obtain the applications online. Applications are rated according to the easement’s potential for protecting and enhancing habitat for migratory birds, fish and other wildlife.

 

Contact Crenel Francis, 352-338-3508 about wetland reserve easements. For more information about agricultural land easements contact Nina Bhattacharyya, 352-338-9554.