South Dakota Ag Connection - S.D. NRCS Accepting Conservation Implementation Strategy Proposals

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S.D. NRCS Accepting Conservation Implementation Strategy Proposals
South Dakota Ag Connection - 01/21/2021

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) officials in South Dakota (SD) have announced a call for Conservation Implementation Strategy (CIS) proposals for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022. CIS projects are implemented to target high priority natural resource concerns, resulting in a measurable improvement of our resources.

"By planning our approach, we are able to prioritize and focus conservation investments in South Dakota," says Jeff Vander Wilt, NRCS assistant state conservationist for programs, Huron. "The NRCS is looking to form new partnerships with others interested in improving our natural resources. Through the CIS, Vander Wilt explains, "NRCS and partners will address specific resource concerns in a targeted manner. Collectively focusing our expertise and resources on the highest priority resource concerns in the highest priority areas will yield the most impressive returns. By working together through a partnership, we can combine our efforts to improve and conserve the resources that we all enjoy. "

The NRCS has technical staff in the field and partners that are willing to aid in coordinating projects throughout the state. Funding and support from other agencies and groups can be leveraged and coordinated to focus on mutual issues of the highest priority.

Project proposals can be submitted by any partner or NRCS staff willing to develop the project proposal. The SD NRCS is requesting project proposals be submitted by April 15, for funding consideration. Applicants will be notified of awarded funding in May 2021. Funding will be provided in early FY2022 for the selected proposals.

Sixteen projects across the state were selected for implementation during FY2020 and information sheets for each project can be found at bit.ly/SDCIS-Projects. "Some projects were quite small and others involved thousands of acres," says Vander Wilt. "Local people choose which resource concern they want to address and the scope as they develop their proposal."

To learn more about CIS in SD or to propose a project, the CIS project proposal template and fact sheet can be found at www.bit.ly/SDNRCS-CIS.

All proposals should be submitted to: Valorie Dupraz, acting assistant state conservationist for programs, at valorie.dupraz@usda.gov or Jennifer Wurtz, Environmental Quality Incentives Program manager, at jennifer.wurtz@usda.gov.

Specialists with the USDA NRCS are working and available by phone or e-mail while taking safety measures in response to COVID-19. For technical assistance, please contact your local NRCS office here: http://bit.ly/ContactNRCSSD.

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