NRCS Recognizes May as American Wetlands Month

This May, join the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service as it celebrates American Wetlands Month and thanks clients and landowners who have enrolled nearly 3 million acres in the agency’s wetland easement programs since their inception 35 years ago.

Nicknamed “nature’s kidneys,” wetlands offer many conservation superpowers including filtering excess nutrients, containing floodwater, storing carbon and providing valuable wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities.

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), directed by NRCS, aids landowners and eligible entities with conserving, restoring, and protecting wetlands, productive agricultural lands and grasslands.   

NRCS offers two types of ACEP easements: 

• Wetland Reserve Easements (WREs): Help restore, protect and enhance wetlands on eligible land. 
• Agricultural Land Easements (ALEs):  Protect farmlands and grasslands by limiting non-agricultural uses of the land.    

NRCS accepts ACEP applications year-round, but applications are ranked and funded by funding cycle.  Applications received after the ranking date will automatically be considered during the future funding cycles. NRCS will also contact filers of completed applications to notify them if any changes need to be considered.

Contact your local NRCS field office to learn more about easements and other agency programs designed to safeguard American wetlands.