The United States Department of Agriculture has awarded over $66 million in funding for conservation projects in Arkansas aimed at restoring natural habitats around the Mississippi River. This funding is part of a larger $1.5 billion allocation to 92 projects through the USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Organizations like the American Bird Conservancy, Mississippi River Trust, and KKAC Foundation received significant amounts of funding to support their conservation efforts.
The American Bird Conservancy will use their $21 million grant to improve forest health for wildlife in Arkansas and Louisiana, while the Mississippi River Trust plans to convert 7,500 acres of vulnerable forest into protected land in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi with their $25 million grant. The KKAC Foundation, based in Little Rock, will help Black farmers improve forest management and water quality with their $20 million grant.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack praised the public-private partnership of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, stating that the funding boost from the Inflation Reduction Act will increase conservation impact across the country. The grants were distributed through the Natural Resources Conservation Service of USDA, with projects focused on methane emission reduction, water conservation, and community resilience to droughts.
These conservation efforts are crucial for protecting natural resources for future generations while supporting farmers, ranchers, and landowners in the process. The projects in Arkansas are a part of a larger national effort to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices in agriculture and land management.
Source
Photo credit arktimes.com