According to USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service – more than 220-million acres – or more than 50-percent – of the nation’s wetlands no longer function. NRCS Acting Chief Jason Weller says the greatest potential for wetland restoration is on private lands. He says those are the people influencing our future landscapes. Wetlands are good for the environment and have significant economic benefits. Through the Wetlands Reserve Program – NRCS is helping private landowners bring back and preserve wetlands. The program is also improving habitat and recreational opportunities.
National Program Manager Randy Epperson says the popularity of WRP has been amazing. He says the program started as a pilot in nine states to address pressing natural resource concerns in 1992. Since then – more than 11-thousand landowners have restored about 2.5-million acres of wetlands. To learn more about the Wetlands Reserve Program – and how to enroll – contact your local service center or visit www dot nrcs dot usda dot gov (www.nrcs.usda.gov).