USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in New Mexico is announcing December 18, 2026, as the deadline to sign up for the 3093 Grazing Management and Non-Lethal Predator Risk Mitigation in NM and AZ Project through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP provides a targeted, science-based approach to restoring and protecting habitats while strengthening rural economies and cultivating collaboration among conservation partners.

This 5-year project encourages the adoption of holistic approaches that incentivize producers to implement solutions that benefit land, livestock, and wildlife on rangeland and forest operations within the Geographic Priority Areas identified for each state. In New Mexico, the Geographic Priority Area encompasses McKinley, Cibola, Catron, Grant, and Sierra counties. (See map below).  For Arizona-specific sign-up information, please reach out to your Arizona NRCS point(s) of contact.

Resource Concerns: Livestock Production, Limitation and Terrestrial Habitat

Activity Types: Land Management

Eligible Practices: Core Practices - Prescribed Grazing (528) and Upland Wildlife Habitat Management (645) Facilitating practices, such as, Fence (382), Animal Mortality Management (830), livestock water system practices, among others.

Financial Assistance Available: $2,500,000 NM  

Application Deadline: December 18, 2026

Ranking Deadline: February 5, 2027

 Lead Partner Organization: Western Landowners Alliance (WLA)

Other Partners: US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), County Livestock Loss Authority, Badger Creek Corporation- Spur Lake Cattle Co.

Background

The “Working Wild” is defined by partners as landscapes in the West that provide a suite of ecosystem services, with an emphasis on food and fiber production and connected habitat for predators and native ungulates. Managing predator risk to agriculture operations, while stewarding this remaining habitat is a complex endeavor requiring discernment of the dynamic ecological, economic, and community elements unique to each region. Working landscapes are threatened – by drought, soil degradation, invasive species, wildlife displacement, conversion pressure, and commodity market fluctuations- and successful conservation strategies require holistic approaches that incentivize producers to implement solutions that benefit land, livestock, and wildlife. Project partners have collaborated to develop frameworks to support conservation planning on western ranches operating in large predator habitats. Partners are now poised to incorporate lessons learned to facilitate technical and financial assistance delivery to communities in New Mexico and Arizona in partnership with NRCS. 

Western Landowners Alliance (WLA) and their partners have identified the need to provide locally driven outreach to advance the adoption of climate-smart grazing management systems that incorporate non-lethal risk management strategies, which will address multiple threats to sustained livestock production. The goal of this project is to reduce the financial and social burden of recovering predator populations on livestock operations by increasing access to conservation activities relevant to rangeland livestock production. 

Producers in the West are challenged to adopt production practices and employ tools and strategies to sustain the productivity of the land and livestock being raised while working to prevent direct livestock losses from wolves and provide viable habitats for species. Producers lack access to locally delivered technical and financial assistance as they embrace innovative ways to mitigate predation impact while also abating impacts to large carnivores and maintaining their ecological role on the landscape.

More Information

Producers can apply by visiting their local USDA Service Center and submitting their Conservation Program Application (NRCS-CPA-1200). Producers who have established profiles on farmers.gov may submit their applications online.  Producers need to receive a farm and tract number from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) by the application deadline. 

NRCS provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain and improve our natural resources and environment. For more information about NRCS New Mexico visit NRCS New Mexico.

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