Description
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Louisiana is seeking support from natural resource conservation partners to work together to help enhance conservation delivery in Louisiana. The overall intent of this announcement is to solicit partnerships to help enhance the implementation of key conservation objectives and priorities outlined in this document. Proposals will be accepted from entities delivering conservation programs and services in Louisiana. NRCS anticipates the amount of funding available for this announcement will be up to approximately $5,000,000 awarded to multiple FY2019 recipients. All awards are subject to the availability of funds appropriated by Congress at the time of award. Proposals are requested from eligible entities, non-profits, governmental or non-governmental organizations, and institutions of higher learning for competitive consideration of awards for projects between one and five years in duration.
Key areas of focus include:
* Providing technical assistance to private landowners, specifically veterans, to participate in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
* Providing technical assistance to private landowners to participate in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and adding staff capacity to the NRCS Financial Assistance Program team
* Providing conservation program support assistance in NRCS field offices, reducing the burden of program management on conservation planning staff
* Conducting at least three soil health-focused workshops across Louisiana to educate agricultural producers on the importance of soil health to environmental sustainability and profitability
* Providing support for the NRCS Plant Materials Program, addressing conservation needs by assisting the Plant Materials Center in developing technology and information for the effective use, establishment, and maintenance of plants for a wide variety of natural resource conservation needs
* Providing technical assistance for outreach activities to increase participation in NRCS programs and services by socially disadvantaged, limited resource, women, veterans, and beginning farmers and ranchers in Louisiana
* Providing wildlife habitat/wildlife management technical assistance to private landowners and providing support for related conservation programs to increase wildlife habitat implementation.
The project duration is expected to be between 1-5 years.