Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
Nonprofit conservation organizations have been instrumental in developing CREP projects and implementing CREP easements in states such as Maryland, Kentucky and Michigan. These nonprofit partners have played an important role in helping producers and states leverage significant federal assistance for conservation. In many cases, USDA will cover up to 80 percent of the total project costs, with states and other program participants, including nonprofit partners, providing the remainder.

Conservation Reserve Program
Nonprofit conservation organizations have been instrumental in implementing CRP and in developing projects under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, a subprogram of CRP. The main role of nonprofits in the implementation of CRP is providing technical assistance to help landowners enroll their land in CRP, develop conservation plans, and plant filter strips, riparian buffers, grass waterways, shelter belts and wellhead protection areas.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Although only tribes and producers are eligible to apply directly for EQIP funds, nonprofit conservation organizations play an important role in the EQIP program in numerous ways. Conservation organizations can participate as members in state technical committees to advise State Conservationists on EQIP issues, including state program management policies and procedures, technical programmatic recommendations, selection and ranking of priority areas, selection of significant statewide natural resource concerns, development of ranking criteria for application evaluation, guidance on eligible conservation practices, technical guidance on new and innovative conservation practices, identification and monitoring of performance indicators, and much more.

Nonprofit organizations also assist NRCS with outreach and education to producers about EQIP, conservation goals and practices, and how to develop an application. Qualified nonprofits can also enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with NRCS to provide technical assistance to EQIP participants, including conservation planning, conservation practice design and implementation, training for producers, and training and certification for professional conservationists.

The final 2002 Farm Bill created a new EQIP subprogram, the Conservation Innovation (CI) grants program, through which nonprofit conservation organizations have an even greater role in carrying out the EQIP program. The purpose of CI grants is to promote environmental enhancement and protection through innovative solutions in conjunction with agricultural production. Government and nongovernmental organizations, as well as individuals, may receive CI grants. CI grant funds may cover up to 50 percent of the costs of a project, and the recipient must come up with the remaining 50 percent matching funds from non-federal sources.

Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program
FPP provides a valuable tool for land trusts and other nonprofit conservation groups in their efforts to protect undeveloped lands and assist producers eager to stay on the land in the face of rising property values and development pressures. The program provides funding to state, local, tribal and qualified nonprofit entities with existing farmland protection programs to purchase conservation easements on farmland. The 2002 Farm Bill allows land trusts and other qualified nonprofit organizations not only to hold an FPP easement, but also to apply directly to NRCS for the funding for an FPP project. In addition to applying for and holding easements, nonprofit conservation groups can assist landowners in development and implementation of an FPP project and help set state FPP priorities by participating in the state technical committee.

Third-Party Technical Assistance
Nonprofit organizations, many of which have expertise in on-the-ground conservation practices, could serve a very important role as providers of technical assistance. The new program could also be a means of additional revenue for nonprofits that become certified to enhance NRCS's ability to provide technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners.

Wetlands Reserve Program
While landowners are the primary focus of WRP, land trusts and other conservation organizations can also play a vital role in the program. Nonprofit organizations can participate in WRP by providing technical assistance, holding easements, doing outreach and education, and managing and monitoring easements. In addition, nonprofits can help by participating in state technical committees, which advise State Conservationists on the development of WRP rates of compensation for easements, priority ranking processes and related policy matters.

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program
WHIP offers a valuable tool for nonprofit conservation groups interested in restoring and enhancing wildlife habitat on private lands. Although conservation groups cannot apply directly for WHIP funds or technical assistance, there are a number of ways nonprofits can participate in the development and implementation of WHIP projects to promote conservation goals. For example, NRCS-approved conservation partners including nonprofits can accept WHIP applications from landowners, especially in areas where NRCS and conservation district staff resources are limited. Nonprofits can play a role in the ranking and selection of applications for WHIP funds by participating in their state technical committee, which is key to determining that state's priorities. In addition, nonprofit conservation organizations can provide valuable expertise or additional funding to help complete a WHIP project.