Landowners have the option to restore and set aside a wetland in the USDA Wetland Reserve Program. This program can help pay some of the costs for restoring wetlands or purchase easements to maintain a wetland. An announcement from USDA is expected soon of another option to enroll small wetlands into the Conservation Reserve Program. Final rules for this program are now under review in Washington. Wetlands are a benefit to natural resources by trapping runoff water, allowing sediment and other particles to settle out, and contribute to groundwater recharge.
Wetlands also provide food and wildlife habitat.
May is National Wetlands Appreciation Month. USDA is an equal opportunity employer.