# Regional Conservation Partnership Program - Wisconsin

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-  Regional Conservation Partnership Program - Wisconsin 

The**Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)** is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. 

## On This Page

            - Contact Information
            - How to Get Assistance

### Benefits

RCPP encourages partners to join in efforts with producers to increase the restoration and sustainable use of soil, water, wildlife and related natural resources on regional or watershed scales. Through RCPP, NRCS and its partners help producers install and maintain conservation activities in selected project areas.  Partners leverage RCPP funding in project areas and report on the benefits achieved. The Secretary of Agriculture may also designate up to eight critical conservation areas to focus RCPP assistance.

**Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.**

### Funding

Funding for RCPP is allocated evenly to projects in two different categories, state/multi-state and critical conservation areas. Conservation program contracts and easement agreements are implemented through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) or the Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP). NRCS may also utilize the authorities under the Watershed and Flood Prevention Program, other than the Watershed Rehabilitation Program, in the designated critical conservation areas.

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program brings together a wide array of local and national partners, including Indian tribes, nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, private industry, conservation districts, water districts, universities and many others. So far, more than 2,000 partners are engaged in locally-led conservation efforts through RCPP.

The most successful RCPP projects share four common characteristics: **they innovate, leverage additional contributions, offer impactful solutions and engage more participants.**

**Wisconsin State Resource Priorities**
                      - Water Quality Degradation
                      - Soil Erosion
                      - Soil Quality Degradation
                      - Inadequate Habitat for Fish and Wildlife
                      - Degraded Plant Conditions
                      - Livestock Production Limitation
                      - Excess Water and Insufficient Water
                      - Air Quality
                      - Insufficient Energy

##   Local Working Groups

Local Working Groups provide recommendations on local natural resource priorities and criteria for conservation activities and programs.

GO TO PAGE

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## Current Wisconsin RCPP Projects

##   American Bird Conservancy

***Improving Oak Ecosystem Health in the Great Lakes Region***

American Bird Conservancy & NRCS: Improving Oak Ecosystem Health in the Great Lakes through RCPP(852.62 KB)

Workload Prioritization Tool(134.44 KB)

Map of Eligible Areas(981.11 KB)

Plan and Process(1.04 MB)

The goal of this project is to restore, enhance, and protect oak ecosystems (forests, woodlands, and savannas) at a landscape scale to improve ecosystem health, connectivity, and biological diversity on private lands in regions of Illinois (IL) and Wisconsin (WI) where oak ecosystems historically thrived. Public lands where oak restoration is occurring by partner organizations and governments will be enhanced by this project’s focus on adjacent private lands, thereby creating an expansive, connected, matrix of restored oak ecosystem with substantial conservation benefits. 

                    - Proposed NRCS Investment: $3,822,045
                    - Lead Partner: American Bird Conservancy (ABC)
                    - Number of Initial Partners: 19
                    - Participating States: Wisconsin, Illinois

##   American Bird Conservancy

***Improving Forest Health for Wildlife Resources***

Map of Eligible Areas(1.7 MB)

Plan and Process(1.86 MB)

The project will enhance and maintain habitat for the Golden-winged Warbler (GWWA) and Kirtland’s Warbler (KIWA), two Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). Improving Forest Health for Wildlife Resources will promote voluntary, incentive-based conservation on private and Tribal lands. This project is part of a cooperative, full life-cycle, international initiative to restore the GWWA by government agencies and private conservation organizations have a strong interest in preventing the unnecessary and potential listing of the GWWA under the Endangered Species Act. Together, MI, MN, and WI have the largest remaining breeding population of GWWA in the world and have critical ecosystems to rebuild populations rapidly. The GWWA needs quality young forest with mature forest nearby to breed and successfully raise young. The KIWA is a conservation-reliant SGCN recently listed as federally endangered. This project seeks to improve young jack pine stands to increase KIWA habitat. Objectives of this project are to implement focal species best management practices on private lands through RCPP technical and financial assistance from 2021 through 2025.

                    - Proposed NRCS Investment: $4,999,712 (State/Multi-State Renewal)
                    - Lead Partner: American Bird Conservancy (ABC)
                    - Activities: Land Management
                    - Participating States: Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin (lead)

##   American Farmland Trust

***Wisconsin Farmland Protection Partnership Program***

Map of Eligible Areas(1.15 MB)

Plan and Process(746.51 KB)

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) is a partnership that leverages capabilities and resources, targets assistance where it is most needed, cooperatively engages project partners, and works collaboratively with agriculture producers, forest land managers, and Tribes. The adoption of project eligible conservation practices will improve soil health on permanently protected land. Case studies of farms will be developed that quantify the beneficial environmental and economic outcomes, equipping farmland protection partners with metrics and tangible examples they can share with landowners to increase conservation practice adoption on land protected from conversion to non-agriculture uses.

                    -  Proposed NRCS Investment: $7,000,000 (includes Entity Held Easements) 
                    -  Lead Partner: American Farmland Trust (State/Multi-State) 
                    -  Number of Initial Partners: 17 
                    -  Participating States: Wisconsin (Lead State) 

##   Dane County LWRD II

***Improving Soil Health and Water Quality***

Workload Prioritization Tool(139.34 KB)

Map of Eligible Areas(913.56 KB)

Plan and Process(2.17 MB)

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) is a partnership that leverages capabilities and resources, targets assistance where it is most needed, cooperatively engages project partners, and works collaboratively with agriculture producers, forest land managers, and Tribes. This project focuses on the Yahara and Upper Sugar Rivers in Dane County, Wisconsin. The goal is to reduce phosphorus loss from cropland, especially during late winter and early spring, and improve soil health. The project is also expected to increase the organizational effectiveness of the three producer-led watershed groups in the project area.

                    -  Proposed NRCS Investment: $1,860,697 
                    -  Lead Partner: Dane County Land and Water Resources District (Critical Conservation Area – Mississippi River Basin) 
                    -  Number of Initial Partners: 4 
                    -  Participating States: Wisconsin (Lead State) 

##   Driftless Area

***Habitat for the Wild & Rare Phase 3***

Workload Prioritization Tool(136.66 KB)

Map of Eligible Areas(1.6 MB)

Plan and Process(892.71 KB)

The goal of this project is to address aquatic and riparian habitat impairment and water quality impairment within the Driftless Areas of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa. The project is particularly focused on restoration of cold-water streams and seeks to pair instream habitat or aquatic organism passage with broader farm-scale conservation activities. In a setting where cropland is adjacent to the stream, ideal projects will have an existing riparian easement) and will set-aside a 40’ area from the top of bank to provide a stream buffer.  

                    - Proposed NRCS Investment: $4,460,062
                    - Lead Partner: Trout Unlimited, Inc.
                    - Number of Initial Partners: 18
                    - Participating States: Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota

##   Milwaukee River Watershed Conservation Partnership

Workload Prioritization Tool(184 KB)

Map of Eligible Areas(1.39 MB)

Plan and Process(472.76 KB)

The project will innovate and adopt conservation for the objectives of improving water quality, soil quality, habitat while permanently protecting farms in the Milwaukee River Watershed.

                    -  Proposed NRCS Investment: $7,503,896 (Critical Conservation Area- Great Lakes Region) 
                    -  Lead Partner: Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District 
                    -  Activities: Land Management, Land Rental, Entity Held Easements for long-term land protection 
                    -  Participating States: Wisconsin 

##   NEW Water

***Ashwaubenon Creek and Dutchman Creek (AC/DC) Watersheds Water Quality and Habitat Improvement***

Workload Prioritization Tool(137.62 KB)

Map of Eligible Areas(8.47 MB)

Plan and Process(2.59 MB)

NEW Water and partners will address water quality degradation and inadequate habitat in the subwatersheds of Ashwaubenon Creek and Dutchman Creek in the lower Fox River watershed of the Great Lakes Basin. Partners include Outagamie County Land and Water Conservation District, Brown County Land and Water Conservation District, Oneida Nation, Austin Straubel Airport, and UW-Extension. The partner will bring to the project their resources and abilities to promote the project, plan and implement conservation, and monitor and model results of applied conservation practices on private lands. Implemented practices through the USDA funding will include structural practices such as but not limited to grassed waterways, water and sediment control basins, prescribed grazing, wetland restoration, open channel flow and streambank protection. Partner funds will enhance the project by implementing management practices such as nutrient management, no-till, and cover crops. 

                    - Proposed NRCS Investment: $2,295,210.00
                    - Lead Partner: NEW Water (Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District)
                    - Number of Initial Partners: 5
                    - Participating States: Wisconsin

##   Oconomowoc River Watershed

***Water Quality and Soil Loss Improvements***

Map of Eligible Areas(716.52 KB)

The project will improve water quality within and downstream of the Oconomowoc River Watershed through the implementation of cropland conservation practices and the permanently protection of farmland.

***The Oconomowoc River Watershed Water Quality and Soil Loss Improvements will not be offering a signup in 2024.***

                    -  Proposed NRCS Investment: $500,000 (State/Multi-State Renewal) 
                    -  Lead Partner: City of Oconomowoc 
                    -  Activities: Land Management, Entity Held Easements for long-term land protection 
                    -  Participating States: Wisconsin 

##   Sand County Foundation

***Grasslands and Oak Savannas for Water & Wildlife***

Workload Prioritization Tool(177.53 KB)

Map of Eligible Areas(1.78 MB)

Plan and Process(2.03 MB)

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) is a partnership that leverages capabilities and resources, targets assistance where it is most needed, cooperatively engages project partners, and works collaboratively with agriculture producers, forest land managers, and Tribes. This project focuses on the driftless area and will increase terrestrial habitat to benefit grassland birds and pollinators, reduce nutrient and sediment loss from vulnerable lands, improve the economic well-being for farmers and rural communities, and extend NRCS resources to historically underserved producers. This project will focus exclusively on perennial solutions and include transitioning sensitive cropland to permanent and productive vegetation, restore degraded grasslands and oak savannas, support prescribed grazing systems, promote agroforestry and control of invasive species.

                    -  Proposed NRCS Investment: $1,500,000 
                    -  Lead Partner: Sand County Foundation (Critical Conservation Area – Mississippi River Basin) 
                    -  Number of Initial Partners: 7 
                    -  Participating States: Wisconsin (Lead State) 

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## Project Sign-up Completed

##   American Bird Conservancy

Map of Eligible Areas(5.22 MB)

Application Ranking Summary(9 KB)

Plan and Process(81.06 KB)

Factsheet: Improving Forest Health for Wildlife (1.47 MB)

##   Baraboo River

Map of Eligible Areas(3.09 MB)

Application Ranking Summary(62.32 KB)

Plan and Process(63.77 KB)

Baraboo River Practices(19.69 KB)

##   Baraboo River Watershed II

Workload Prioritization Tool(177.45 KB)

Map of Eligible Areas(3.09 MB)

Plan and Process(137.51 KB)

##   Driftless Area

***Habitat for the Wild & Rare***

Map of Eligible Areas(1.69 MB)

Plan and Process(143.98 KB)

The Driftless Area (DA) was bypassed by the last continental glacier and features steep valleys, sandstone bluffs and more than 600 unique spring-fed creeks and ridges once covered in prairie and scattered oaks. This ancient landscape supports a variety of plants and animals, including dozens of uncommon species of birds of woodland and grassland habitats, reptiles and amphibians, and abundant populations of native fish found in the high concentration of cold-water streams. The DA's diversity of habitat provides critical habitat for dozens of species of concern in the State Wildlife Action Plans, and has been cited as one of North America's most important resources. Early agricultural practices that were not suitable for the unique landscape of the DA resulted in severe erosion and sedimentation. Land use practices and conservation efforts have helped heal the land, but the legacy of the past damage is still visible in the valleys and steep stream banks. For the past nine years Trout Unlimited's Driftless Area Restoration Effort has been working with partners to restore structural diversity, ecological function and overall health. This project will provide a new comprehensive, targeted regional approach to restoring prairie, oak woodlands and streams for the benefit of the many at-risk species and abundant concentrations of native species found in the DA landscape.

                    -  Proposed NRCS Investment: $2.9 million (National) 
                    -  Lead Partner: Trout Unlimited 
                    -  Number of Partners: 30 
                    -  Participating State(s): Minnesota & Wisconsin (Lead State) 

##   Driftless Area

***Habitat for the Wild & Rare Phase 2***

Map of Eligible Areas(337.13 KB)

Plan and Process(226.91 KB)

The Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation and its partners will target areas in the Driftless Area where land restoration and land protection will have the most positive impact on water quality by implementing permanent conservation practices that reduce pollution and sediment runoff into streams. RCPP funding will provide a new comprehensive, targeted regional approach to restoring cold-water streams and their riparian areas for the benefit of the many at-risk species. The project will assist landowners reduce pollution and sediment runoff through the adoption of key conservation practices. Agricultural Conservation Easement Program funding will purchase agricultural conservation easements to install permanent conservation practices such as riparian buffers and filter strips.

                    -  Proposed NRCS Investment: $9,203,000 (National) 
                    -  Lead Partner: Trout Unlimited 
                    -  Number of Initial Partners: 46 
                    -  Participating States: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin (Lead State) 

##   Improving Working Lands for Monarch Butterflies

Map of Eligible Areas (4.07 MB)

Monarch Butterfly Habitat Development Factsheet(688.3 KB)

Our partnership will restore, manage and conserve wildlife habitat for monarch butterflies on agricultural and tribal lands using four main strategies: conservation planning and assessment; habitat improvement and best management practices; building an adequate seed supply for milkweed and nectar plants; and, enhancing organizational coordination and capacity. To provide the greatest conservation outcomes, the project will focus work within two NRCS Critical Conservation Areas: Prairie Grasslands Region and Mississippi River Basin. Targeted areas will be identified through a US Geological Survey-led initiative examining fine-scale opportunities for the restoration of milkweed and other pollinator plants. This project will contribute to national goals in terms of habitat and increase the number of monarch butterflies. This in turn will represent the best opportunity to avoid future regulations related to monarch butterflies from being imposed on farmers and ranchers in the future.

                    -  Proposed NRCS Investment: $6 million (National) 
                    -  Lead Partner: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 
                    -  Number of Partners: 12 
                    -  Participating State(s): Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas (Lead State)****& Wisconsin (Statewide) 

NOTE: Conservation Stewardship Program Funding is also available in this project, click herefor more information.

##   Lafayette County

***Agricultural Enterprise Area Water Quality Project***

Map of Eligible Areas(15.52 MB)

Plan and Process(132.26 KB)

##   Little Plover River Watershed

Map of Eligible Areas(2.8 MB)

Plan and Process(138.7 KB)

This project will be the first in Wisconsin to apply groundwater modeling to help deliver conservation practices to the locations in the Central Sands region of Wisconsin which will most effectively address resource needs. The partners will use EQIP to install on-farm practices. Match funding will implement larger scale restoration and municipal and agricultural infrastructure improvements. Project outcomes will be improved instream flows and water quality, increased groundwater recharge, soil conservation, and improved fish and wildlife habitat.

                    -  Proposed NRCS Investment: $295,000 (State) 
                    -  Lead Partner: Village of Plover 
                    -  Number of Initial Partners: 5 
                    -  Participating States: Wisconsin (Lead State) 

##   Milwaukee River Watershed Conservation Partnership

Map of Eligible Areas(2.56 MB)

Milwaukee RCPP-EQIP Plan and Process(32.88 KB)

Milwaukee RCPP-EQIP Ranking(8.65 KB)

Milwaukee RCPP-CSP Plan and Process(36.05 KB)

Milwaukee RCPP-CSP Ranking(11.77 KB)

This diverse partnership will implement cost effective conservation solutions that will improve water quality and soil quality along the impaired Milwaukee River corridor. A major tributary to Lake Michigan, the Milwaukee River is plagued with water quality degradation caused in part by high levels of phosphorous and sediment-laden runoff. Project objectives include: 1) recruit landowner participation in EQIP and CSP by promoting EQIP practices through demonstration workshops, agriculture innovation field days and incentives; 2) protect eight properties across 765 acres on priority agricultural lands using ACEP-ALE; and 3) coordinate and facilitate diverse groups - a farmer-led watershed group, working lands group and citizen advisory committee - to educate and promote conservation to farmers.

                    -  Lead Partner: Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District 
                    -  Number of Partners: 18 
                    -  Participating State(s): Wisconsin 

NOTE: Conservation Stewardship Program Funding is also available in this project, click herefor more information.

##   Oconomowoc River

Map of Eligible Areas(499.61 KB)

Plan and Process(134.78 KB)

Oconomowoc River Practices(60.57 KB)

##   Tall Pines Conservancy

***Farmland Protection Program***

Map of Eligible Areas(4.89 MB)

Plan and Process(121.42 KB)

This project, led by Tall Pines Conservancy (TPC), will use Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Agricultural Land Easements funding to acquire farmland easements at three different project sites in the watershed. Environmental Quality Incentives Program land practices will mitigate natural resource concerns at each project location. Additionally, Nutrient Management Plans will be developed as needed to identify resource concerns at the project locations. The long-term project goals are to decrease soil reduction; improve habitat quality; and reduce loading of sediments, nutrients, and pollutants into tributaries and lakes in the Oconomowoc River watershed. This will be accomplished by implementation of practices that conserve soil and slow overland flow in agriculture, forestry, and urban areas.

                    -  Proposed NRCS Investment: $524,000 (State) 
                    -  Lead Partner: Tall Pines Conservancy 
                    -  Number of Initial Partners: 6 
                    -  Participating States: Wisconsin (Lead State) 

NOTE: Conservation Stewardship Program Funding is also available in this project, click herefor more information.

##   Yahara River

Map of Eligible Areas(220.09 KB)

Application Ranking Summary(37.96 KB)

Plan and Process(62.26 KB)

Yahara River Practices(92.64 KB)

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##   More Information

RCPP Fact Sheet(541.86 KB)

RCPP Infographic(4.97 MB)

2018 Final Projects for RCPP in all 50 States(300.49 KB)

### Wisconsin Program Contact

Brandi Richterbrandi.richter@usda.gov(608) 662-4422

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Wisconsin NRCS Homepage

## Ready to get started?

Contact your local service center to start your application.

## Find Your Local Service Center

    USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to find your local service center and agency offices. If this locator does not work in your browser, please visit offices.usda.gov.  

##   How to Get Assistance

**Do you farm or ranch and want to make improvements to the land that you own or lease?**

Natural Resources Conservation Service offers technical and financial assistance to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.

**Print this information

###         Step 1: Make a Plan    

**To get started with NRCS, we recommend you stop by your local NRCS field office. We’ll discuss your vision for your land.**

NRCS provides landowners with free technical assistance, or advice, for their land. Common technical assistance includes: resource assessment, practice design and resource monitoring. Your conservation planner will help you determine if financial assistance is right for you.

###         Step 2: Start an Application    

**We’ll walk you through the application process. To get started on applying for financial assistance, we’ll work with you:**
                        - To fill out an AD 1026, which ensures a conservation plan is in place before lands with highly erodible soils are farmed. It also ensures that identified wetland areas are protected.
                        - To meet other eligibility certifications.

Once complete, we’ll work with you on the application, or CPA 1200.

Applications for most programs are accepted on a continuous basis, but they’re considered for funding in different ranking periods. Be sure to ask your local NRCS district conservationist about the deadline for the ranking period to ensure you turn in your application in time.

###         Step 3: Check your eligibility    

**As part of the application process, we’ll check to see if you are eligible. To do this, you’ll need to bring:**
                        - An official tax ID (Social Security number or an employer ID)
                        - A property deed or lease agreement to show you have control of the property; and
                        - A farm number.

If you don’t have a farm number, you can get one from USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Typically, the local FSA office is located in the same building as the local NRCS office. You only need a farm number if you’re interested in financial assistance.

###         Step 4: Rank your application    

**NRCS will take a look at the applications and rank them** according to local resource concerns, the amount of conservation benefits the work will provide and the needs of applicants. View Application Ranking Dates by State.

###         Step 5: Implement your plan    

**If you’re selected, you can choose whether to sign the contract for the work to be done.**

Once you sign the contract, you’ll be provided standards and specifications for completing the practice or practices, and then you will have a specified amount of time to implement. Once the work is implemented and inspected, you’ll be paid the rate of compensation for the work if it meets NRCS standards and specifications.

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## Related Resources

### Data and Reports

View All Resources

### Data and Reports

                      - RCPP Congressional Report—December 2019 
                      - Partner-Led Solutions Publication 
                      - Farm Bill Factsheet 

View All Data and Reports

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##   Related News & Events

Press ReleaseNRCS Announces EQIP and RCPP Signup for 2023 Funding, Apply by November 4, 2022 September 28, 2022

            -  View More News 
            -  View More Events