HARRISBURG, PA — Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment Ann Mills of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced projects in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that will receive over $15 million to improve water quality in the Delaware River Watershed as part of the new Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).

RCPP focuses on public-private partnerships to enable private companies, local communities and other non-government partners a way to invest in conservation efforts to help keep our private land resilient and water clean.

Awarded funds will be dedicated to installing conservation practices and easements in northeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey to accomplish a wide diversity of agricultural and natural resource goals, such as improving water and soil quality, restoring fish and wildlife habitat and preserving working agricultural and forest lands.

In addition to providing USDA financial assistance funds, RCPP will expand upon conservation efforts of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) by contributing funds and in-kind services such as outreach and technical assistance. According to partner Jim Baird, Mid-Atlantic director of American Farmland Trust (AFT), “These funds will directly support AFT’s core focus, sustaining economically viable, well managed farmland for future generations.”