Addresses water quality and effectiveness of nutrient reduction in restored floodplain wetlands in mississippi river basin

The University of Kentucky Research Foundation received a $1.86 million Cooperative Agreement from the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) under the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (CFDA 10.931), awarded September 29, 2025, with completion targeted for September 30, 2030. The award funds research and technical services to address water quality and the effectiveness of nutrient reduction in restored floodplain wetlands across the Mississippi River Basin, with the work performed in Kentucky.

This cooperative agreement supports conservation and restoration activities designed to enhance wetland functionality and reduce nutrient loading in a critical agricultural and ecological region. The five-year project duration allows for comprehensive assessment and implementation of wetland restoration practices that advance both environmental quality objectives and the ACEP program's mission to conserve eligible lands and natural resources through easements and related conservation mechanisms.