Mississippi USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Seeks Landowners Interested in Conservation: Longleaf Pine Forests in Mississippi

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Seeks Landowners Interested in Conservation: Longleaf Pine Forests in Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss., Sept. 29, 2025 - Farmers and landowners who are interested in the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Longleaf Pine, can apply for conservation assistance. NRCS and its partners aim to protect wildlife habitat along the Longleaf Pine Critical Conservation Areas (CCAs). In fiscal year 2026, RCPP, with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation serving as the lead partner, will provide financial assistance to farmers and landowners. All eligible applications received by Oct. 31, 2025, will be prioritized, evaluated, and ranked for funding in 2026.

"RCPP is a unique program that utilizes non-federal investments from conservation partners to accelerate conservation in selected project areas," said Mississippi NRCS State Conservationist Kurt Readus. "This approach allows us to make the most of our collective resources to address locally identified concerns, specifically restoration of Longleaf pine ecosystems for this project."

RCPP project description and associated partner:

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), proposal focus within the Longleaf Pine Range Critical Conservation Area (CCA) in Mississippi. RCPP funds are to restore, maintain and conserve Longleaf Pine to improve wildlife habitat and carbon sequestration, increase forest resilience, and deliver other co-benefits. This partner has a long history of working with private landowners and successfully operating with NRCS to deploy funds and achieve outcomes on the ground. The goal for this project is to engage 1,000 private landowners to restore and enhance 50,000 acres of longleaf pine on private land in MS over five years.

Eligible Counties in MS are as follows:

Adams Franklin Jefferson Lincoln Scott

Amite George Jefferson Davis Madison Simpson

Attala Greene Jones Marion Smith

Claiborne Hancock Kemper Newton Stone

Clarke Harrison Lamar Pearl River Walthall

Copiah Hinds Lauderdale Perry Wayne

Covington Jackson Lawrence Pike Wilkinson

Forrest Jasper Leake Rankin

How to Apply

To apply for RCPP, individuals and entities actively engaged in agricultural production are eligible to participate. Farmers and landowners are encouraged to sign up for NRCS conservation funding. Although NRCS accepts applications throughout the year, applications received after Oct. 31st will be considered based on funding availability in subsequent cycles.

Farmers should contact their local USDA Service Center to get started on producer eligibility and planning. Applications ranking highest in a funding category will be funded first and is subject to availability of program funds. Farmers and landowners interested in receiving financial assistance through these programs are encouraged to apply now by contacting your local service center USDA Service Centers.

When visiting NRCS staff about the RCPP program, landowners are encouraged to inquire about NRCS' comprehensive conservation plans. The Agency continually strives to put conservation planning at the forefront of its programs and initiatives. Conservation plans provide landowners with a comprehensive inventory and assessment of their resources, as well as an appropriate start to improving the quality of soil, water, air, plants, and wildlife on their land.

More Information

To learn more about NRCS programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also apply for NRCS programs, manage conservation plans and contracts, and view and print conservation maps by logging into their farmers.gov account. If you don't have an account, sign up today.

For 90 years, NRCS has helped farmers, ranchers and forestland owners make investments in their operations and local communities to improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and wildlife habitat. NRCS uses the latest science and technology to help keep working lands working, boost agricultural economies, and increase the competitiveness of American agriculture. NRCS provides one-on-one, personalized advice and financial assistance and works with producers to help them reach their goals through voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs. For more information, visit nrcs.usda.gov.

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