Karen A. Woodrich, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Kansas State Conservationist, announced funding to landowners to improve the health of some of the last native prairies in Kansas. The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Kansas State University (KSU) and other partners have joined NRCS in a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to offer financial assistance to help landowners institute conservation practices on their land. NRCS is providing funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). There will be two fiscal year 2019 EQIP application evaluation periods for this RCPP project.

The first application evaluation period will be for applications received by December 21, 2018. The second application evaluation period will be for applications received by March 15, 2019.

According to Woodrich, in Kansas, the Flint Hills and the Red Hills are the targeted areas where EQIP funds will be available for landowners interested in implementing conservation practices. Funding will go toward practices such as removal of red cedar trees or other invasive vegetation such as sericea lespedeza, developing grazing plans, or conducting prescribed burning.

Funding from this project can also be used to clear dead cedar trees still standing after the Anderson Creek wildfire in south central Kansas. Without removal, new cedar trees will grow up under the dead trees.

For more information, go to the Kansas NRCS website www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov/programs or visit your local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Service Center. To find a service center near you, go to offices.usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.