2026 Announcement for the Middle Gunnison Partnership for Resilient Working Lands RCPP Project

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Colorado and Colorado West Land Trust (CWLT) are announcing a funding opportunity through the USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Producers within the Colorado project area identified on the map who are interested in Land Management and RCPP Entity Held Easement (EHE) activities have until February 2, 2026, to apply. The project area includes portions of Delta, Gunnison, and Montrose counties. 

RCPP Land Management (LM):

To be eligible for consideration for this funding opportunity, an agricultural producer must have updated farm records with the Farm Service Agency (FSA), must be within the identified project area, and must meet all program eligibility requirements. Interested participants must meet the project specific criteria to be considered for funding.

The goals of this special funding opportunity are to:

•     Assist producers improving wildlife habitat for native species by reintroducing and promoting natural ecological processes on their land

•     Assist producers participating in conservation easement or other voluntary conservation programs

•     Assist producers by addressing inadequate aquatic and terrestrial habitat for native wildlife and furthering the long-term protection of land

If you’re interested in seeking financial support for land management conservation, please contact us in advance of the deadline to learn how you can apply. Be sure to sign up early to take part in this funding opportunity. For additional information about applications contact David Varner, CWLT Project Manager, at 970-639-7017, or NRCS staff at 970-399-8204.

The Delta Service Center must receive fully completed application packets no later than 4:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST) on the 2nd of February to be considered.

RCPP Entity Held Easement (EHE):

If you are an agricultural producer wishing to enroll in a conservation easement, please know that you will need to work with Colorado West Land Trust to apply by the deadline. Applicants (eligible entities/land trusts) must be a federally recognized Indian Tribe, state or local units of government, or a non-governmental organization. Applicants must have an established farmland protection program that purchases conservation easements for the purpose of protecting conservation values.