Do you want to keep your farm or ranch in agriculture for future generations? Do you want to protect your agricultural land from future development? Do you want to restore wetland habitat on your land and protect it for migratory birds, fish, and other wildlife?
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Oregon offers easement programs to help private landowners, state and local governments, Indian tribes, and non-profit groups protect Oregon’s working agricultural lands and wetlands for future generations.
NRCS has extended this year’s application period for the Agricultural Conservation Easements Program (ACEP). Submit applications by Feb. 5 at a local USDA Service Center.
NRCS ranks easement applications based on identified natural resource concerns and priority areas throughout the state. Easement priority areas in Oregon include critical water bird habitat, Coho and steelhead salmon habitat, sage grouse habitat, grasslands, and more.
Learn more about ACEP opportunities and how to apply in Oregon by visiting the Oregon ACEP webpage.
To find a local NRCS office near you, visit the NRCS Oregon website at www.or.nrcs.usda.gov and view the “Contact Us” tab for a map of local service centers.