Source: The Lane Report
April 28, 2021
CLERMONT, Ky. – Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves, and Kentucky Natural Lands Trust now have a new tool to help landowners protect their natural land – a $6.8 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS).
The grant is provided through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and will help Kentucky landowners use conservation easements for protecting forests, wildlife, and connecting natural land corridors. The Greater Bernheim RCPP Project also includes support for outreach and education activities for conservation, water, and land stewardship.
Bernheim Executive Director Mark Wourms said the use of conservation easements will provide climate benefits now and in the future. The award will also leverage considerable funds to Kentucky that support the regional economy via payments to landowners.
“We are thrilled that the Greater Bernheim RCPP Project has been chosen as one of these important projects across the nation,” Dr. Wourms said. “These dollars will go directly to landowners helping them preserve the land that they love, in some cases helping to keep land in families across generations and will be a benefit to the regional economy.”
Andrew Berry, Bernheim Director of Conservation, stated that “the Greater Bernheim RCPP Project will preserve forests, wildlife, and iconic knobs landscapes that are an important part of the local heritage in Kentucky,” Berry said. “Studies show natural lands contribute to quality of life and health of communities by providing enrichment through wildlife, recreation, scenic beauty, and ecosystem services such as clean air and water.”
Through RCPP, conservation partners collaborate with NRCS to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners throughout the nation implement systems that conserve water and soil resources, improve the health of wildlife habitats, and increase climate resilience.
Nationally, NRCS is investing a total of $330 million in 85 locally driven, public-private partnerships to address climate change, improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat, and protect agricultural viability.
Terry Cosby, Acting Chief for USDA-NRCS, said the 85 new projects will help enact change needed to combat the climate crisis.
