10/13/2026
USDA is investing $5 million to engage partners to support wetlands and floodplains on private lands.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an investment of $5 million in partnerships to help agricultural producers and private landowners restore and steward wetlands and floodplains through conservation easements. These projects, funded by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), promote the restoration, enhancement, protection, maintenance, and management of wetland, floodplain, and other habitat and associated uplands that would contribute significantly to functions and values of these habitats.
Awarded work will fall into three main categories:
• Wetland and Floodplain Easement Restoration: Awardees will work with NRCS, partners and landowners to develop and implement sound easement restoration plans, to include structural practices, like levees and water control structures, or vegetative establishment practices, like tree planting.
• Wetland and Floodplain Easement Stewardship: Awardees are responsible for completing easement stewardship activities on restored wetland and floodplain easements. Easement stewardship includes repair, maintenance, management, and enhancement of properties.
• Easement Assessments: Awardees will complete onsite and offsite easement assessments. These assessments will document the habitat condition of easements and determine their compliance with deed terms and conditions. Awardees will use the data collected to determine the ecological condition of easements and, if necessary, develop repair, enhancement or maintenance plans to improve the condition of the assessed easements.
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on November 19, 2026. NRCS anticipates making selections by December 17, 2026, and expects to execute awards by February 2026. For a full list of eligible entity types, additional details, and to apply, visit
https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/384108ba-f773-4d47-95f0-ba3d5152e0a9
K&K Dirtworks has extensive experience working on wetlands reserve easement projects, and, utilizing our sister company Evanston Valley Enterprises’ compost products, can assist with completing any projects that you might have in this area.
Read detailed information about this funding opportunity.