REForest: A Pilot to Restore 10,000 Acres in Arkansas

Written By David Conrod

Starting today through May 31, 2025, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Restore the Earth Foundation (REF) are accepting applications for two Regional Conservation Partnership Programs (RCPP). Called REForest Arkansas, the program goal is to demonstrate the use of private and public funding to transform 10,000 acres of marginal cropland located in floodplains into thriving permanent conservation easements held and managed by NRCS.

“Seventy-five percent of the nation's wetlands are situated on private and tribal lands,” said Amanda Mathis, Arkansas State Conservationist. “Wetlands provide many benefits, including critical habitat for a wide array of wildlife species. They also store floodwaters, clean and recharge groundwater, sequester carbon, trap sediment and filter pollutants for clean water.”

Notable Program Differences

REForest Arkansas shares similarities with the Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE) program, however there are some notable differences, including:

·      All Arkansas counties with marginal cropland in floodplain areas are eligible to apply

·      No 2-year ownership requirement

·      No adjusted gross income requirement

·      Uses the Arkansas Geographic Area Rate Cap (GARC) which establishes easement payments

·      Offers a one-time, up-front per-acre carbon payment to landowners

·      Focuses on 10% of funding to support historically underserved landowners

·      Leverages $32M in private funding with $32M from NRCS RCPP for more permanent conservation easements in Arkansas

·      Offers the opportunity for landowners to participate in future ecological markets for water and biodiversity

“Building on our 20-year partnership with NRCS, we are pleased to kick off an innovative pilot program in Arkansas that will demonstrate the benefits of combining private and public funding to support private landowners and to increase the number of acres put into permanent conservation easements,” said Taylor Marshall, executive director for Restore the Earth Foundation. “We want REForest Arkansas to be a model for a new restorative economy, one with long-term benefits to all stakeholders and for the environment, wildlife, biodiversity and responsible resource management.”

How to Apply

Interested landowners with marginal cropland in floodplain areas should call your local USDA/NRCS FieldService Center or visit http://www.ar.nrcs.usda.gov

REForest Arkansas - Visit: https://www.reforestarkansas.com

Restore the Earth Foundation - Visit: https://www.restoretheearth.org

USDA NRCS - Visit: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/arkansas

Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts - Visit: https://www.aracd.org

David Conrod