The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) is a voluntary program that provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners and Tribes to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands in exchange for retiring eligible land from agricultural production. Over 1.9 million acres are currently enrolled in WRP.
Wetlands provide habitat for fish and wildlife including threatened and endangered species, improve water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, protect biological diversity, and provide opportunities for educational, scientific, and limited recreational activities.
The program offers three enrollment options:
The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) changes the process for determining the easement value, directing the Secretary of Agriculture to pay the lowest of:
Other important legislative changes include:
For more information and updates about WRP and other Farm Bill topics, please refer to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Free technical guidance and information related to managing WRP for wildlife is available from Wildlife Commission staff. Please call the Wildlife Resources Commission, Wildlife Management Division at 919-707-0050 if you have questions or need assistance.
Upland Gazette
Introduction - Declining Habitat, Declining Wildlife
Past Wildlife Commission Efforts
CURE - The Early Years
Transition from Original CURE
Today's CURE
Enhancing Traditional Quail Management to Benefit Songbirds
Conservation Reserve Program – CRP
Environmental Quality Incentives Program – EQIP
Wetlands Reserve Program – WRP
CURE Farm Map
North Carolina’s Best Early-successional Habitat
Using Fire to Improve Wildlife Habitat
Longleaf Pine Restoration
Private Lands
Tarheel Wildlife: A Guide for Managing Wildlife on Private Lands In North Carolina