The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conversation Service (NRCS) in the Pacific Islands Area (PIA) is seeking producers and forest land managers to apply for funding through a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project. The project, focused in South Kona, Hawai’i Island will improve and install non-industrial private forest to increase groundwater recharge, sequester carbon and improve habitat for at-risk species.
RCPP is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. By leveraging collective resources and collaborating on common goals, RCPP demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships in delivering results for agriculture and conservation.
NRCS in the Pacific Islands Area and its partners work with local farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to implement conservation systems, easements and watershed plans that help enhance and sustain the use of water, soil and wildlife habitat, in targeted project areas. Producers and forest land managers can participate in the “Innovation in Kona’s Upland Forests” RCPP project by reaching out to the NRCS Kealakekua Field Office.
“The Regional Conservation Partnership Program is public-private partnerships working at their best,” said J.B. Martin, Director for the Pacific Islands Area for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. “This project harnesses the power of partnerships to help bring about natural resource solutions to South Kona while supporting our efforts to combat the climate crisis.”
The “Innovation in Kona’s Upland Forests” project is led by the Kona Soil and Water Conservation District. This project aims to increase groundwater recharge, sequester carbon and improve habitat for at-risk species. The “Innovation in Kona’s Upland Forests” will address degraded plant condition, pest pressure and terrestrial habitat through the addition of forest and improvement of plant composition of forested habitat.
Pacific Islands Area producers looking to implement conservation systems that help address degraded plant condition, pest pressure and terrestrial habitat through this project opportunity should contact the NRCS Kealakekua Field Office. Applications for funding through this project will be accepted through March 10, 2023.
For more information about RCPP, visit the RCPP website.
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