To increase technical skills of nrcs nebraska and conservation partners, leverage new mapping innovations to improve strategic targeting of woody management, enhance measurement and reporting

The National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) awarded $373,174 to the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska (University of Nebraska) under the Conservation Reserve Program (CFDA 10.069) Cooperative Agreement, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. The award funds a three-year initiative to increase technical capacity within NRCS Nebraska operations and conservation partner organizations by enhancing staff technical skills, integrating new mapping innovations for strategic woody vegetation management targeting, and establishing improved measurement and reporting systems. The University of Nebraska will leverage its research and extension infrastructure to deliver workforce development, capacity-building services, and technical assistance to support CRP implementation across Nebraska.

The Conservation Reserve Program is a voluntary USDA initiative that contracts with landowners to implement conservation practices reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, and supporting wildlife habitat. This cooperative agreement specifically addresses program delivery infrastructure and workforce development needs, enabling NRCS and its conservation partners to strengthen their ability to manage CRP workload, improve practice certification and monitoring capabilities, and deploy enhanced geospatial tools for targeting conservation interventions on environmentally sensitive lands.