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Alabama NRCS Hosts Wetlands Reserve Program Workshops

Restored WetlandsAuburn, Ala. - July 17, 2008

State Conservationist Gary Kobylski announced that the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will be hosting three workshops to inform landowners and Tribes about the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP).

WRP is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. Landowners that enter into WRP may be paid an easement payment in exchange for enrolling their land.

The WRP workshops are free to the public.  However, reservations are requested for all meetings. To register, call or e-mail one of the contacts listed below.

*July 28, 2008, 5:00 p.m.
Elgin Community Center
Intersection of Ala Hwy 101 and Ala Hwy 72
Elgin, Alabama
Contact: Renea Dyer, NRCS District Conservationist
Telephone: (256) 764-5833 (Ext. 3)

*July 29, 2008, 6:00 p.m.
USDA Agricultural Center
13075 Ala Highway 157
Moulton, Alabama
Contact: Kathy Gotcher, NRCS District Conservationist
Telephone: (256) 974-1174 (Ext. 3)

July 31, 2008, 6:00 p.m.
Marshall County Farmers
Federation Building
1333 Blount Ave
Guntersville, Alabama
Contact:  Shawn Manning, NRCS District Conservationist
Telephone: (256) 582-3923 (Ext. 3)

*A meal will be served at the meetings on July 28 and 29.

WRP is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Funds are allocated annually to purchase easements and restore wetlands on qualifying lands. Eligible land must be restorable and be suitable for wildlife benefits. This includes:

  • Farmed wetlands
  • Farmland that has become a wetland as a result of flooding
  • Rangeland, pasture, or hay land where the hydrology has been significantly degraded and can be restored
  • Riparian areas which link protected wetlands

The program offers three enrollment options:

  1. 10-year restoration agreements
  2. 30-year easements
  3. Permanent easements

Restoring, protecting, and enhancing the functions and values of wetland ecosystems remain the focus of WRP in Alabama. By placing agricultural lands into WRP, the landowner provides resting and foraging habitat for migratory waterfowl, songbirds, shorebirds, wading birds and other wetland species. The NRCS in Alabama takes great pride in contributing to the many species of water birds observed on WRP lands.

Participation in the WRP program can be beneficial to the landowner as well as to the environment. For more information about participation in the WRP program, contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office.


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