The Duck River Watershed Society (DRWS) is thrilled to announce that it has applied for a 2024 Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) award. Administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the RCPP is a significant initiative designed to foster strong partnerships, amplifying federal conservation investments while addressing regional and watershed-scale conservation goals.
Established under the 2014 Farm Bill, the RCPP is a comprehensive and flexible program that aims to create impactful collaborations. These partnerships are crucial in enhancing the effectiveness of conservation efforts across regions and watersheds.
The DRWS has applied for RCPP funding with the goal of restoring aquatic habitats, streams, and wetlands within the Upper and Lower Duck River watersheds. The primary focus of this initiative is to identify streams, creeks, and wetlands in need of restoration and to work closely with landowners to repair and rejuvenate these vital ecosystems.
Through a combination of engineering and conservation practices, DRWS seeks to restore habitats, prevent erosion, and reduce localized flooding—all at no cost to the landowners. A key focus of DRWS is to support Tennessee’s underserved and minority farming communities and local landowners through the RCPP program.
Kevin Vann, Founder of DRWS, shared his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “It is our hope to collaborate with landowners and farmers to restore up to 20 miles of the watershed. The RCPP program will help put DRWS on the map by significantly impacting the watershed for years to come.”
DRWS’s lead partner organization in this endeavor is the Ecosystem Planning and Restoration (EPR) environmental engineering firm. Local EPR Lead Engineer, Richard Hanson, expressed his excitement, stating, “EPR is thrilled about the opportunity the Regional Conservation Partnership Program provides to collaborate with organizations like the USDA, the Duck River Watershed Society, and their partners. The Duck River is a national treasure, and we are excited to contribute to the protection and restoration of its unique habitats.”
The Duck River Watershed Society anticipates receiving a decision regarding their submission by the end of October 2024. If approved, the awarded funds will be utilized over a five-year period to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the project.
