The Regional Conservation Partnership Program was established in the 2014 Farm Bill to promote coordination between the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and partners on innovative projects to address conservation concerns on farms, across states and regions. NRCS provides cost-share funding while its partners coordinate activities in their area. This new program consolidates former regional programs, like the Chesapeake Bay Initiative, into one entity — funded with money from other conservation programs. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture also designates eight ‘critical conservation areas’ that receive priority funding.
On December 20, 2018, the 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law. The legislation adopted many of the Land Trust Alliance’s highest priorities including support for funding of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program at $300 million per year annually (2018-2023). View the Alliance’s 2018 Farm Bill recommendations and the final bill. Follow this link to view the Final Rule for RCPP, released January 15, 2021.