Opportunities for Conservation Partnerships

Stretching Conservation Dollars in the Garden State

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has developed some programs that provide great partnership potential for New Jersey. Conservation partners are encouraged to check the Federal eGov website for RFP announcements and submit proposals for projects that address New Jersey conservation and natural resource protection to be considered for cooperative conservation agreements:

1. Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI)
2. State and national level Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) provided through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
3. Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP)

Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI)

New Jersey's strong conservation partnership and significant resources and geography make the Garden State a good candidate for this nationwide initiative. The Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) fosters conservation partnerships that focus technical and financial resources on conservation priorities in watersheds and airsheds of special significance. Under CCPI, funds are awarded to State and local governments and agencies and non-governmental organizations that have a history of working with agricultural producers.

Projects funded to-date under CCPI include the development of community-based plans to address streambank erosion to reduce sedimentation, protect water quality, and improve aquatic habitats; nutrient transfer incentive programs to facilitate the movement of animal waste nutrients from watersheds with high phosphorus soils to watersheds with nutrient-poor soils; and outreach efforts targeting specialty crop producers that encourage adoption of innovative practices to reduce nutrient and pesticide loadings.

The CCPI is a component of the Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) program, established under authorities provided by the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act of 1935, 16 U.S.C. 590a et seq.

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)

The Conservation Innovation Grants program (CIG), which conducts both a national and state level competition, is intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection in conjunction with agricultural production. Under NRCS, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funds are used to award competitive grants to non-Federal governmental, non-governmental organizations, or individuals. The grants require a 50-50 match between the agency and the applicant.

NRCS announces Conservation Innovation Grant opportunities for the national grant competition annually in the federal register and on on the Federal eGrants website. The statewide annual competition is limited to applications for projects within New Jersey, and is also announced on the Federal eGrants website. In 2005 two applicants received $75,000 each through this program. The 2006 state competition is expected to be announced this Spring.

Under both program levels, innovation is desirable. CIG does not fund research projects; however new technologies or innovative approaches to getting conservation on the land that are “field ready” but not yet accepted as standard practice can be demonstrated to both EQIP-eligible producers and to NRCS. Successfully demonstrated techniques will be considered for adoption under NRCS technical standards and policies.

Contact:
Janice Reid, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs: 732-537-7042.

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Last Modified: April 28, 2008