(WARWICK, R.I., Oct. 9, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conversation Service (NRCS) in Rhode Island is seeking eligible entities to apply for funding through a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project, Rhode Island Forest Health Works. 

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management’s Division of Forest Environment leads Forest Health Works, a project that seeks to permanently protect more than 1,300 acres of privately owned forest, reduce fragmentation, and improve wildlife habitat. Eligible entities can receive financial assistance to place conservation easements on participating properties. The Forest Health Works project provides eligible entities with financial assistance towards the placement of entity-held easements on privately owned land in partnership with eligible entities.

Eligible entities must demonstrate a long-term commitment to conserving forest or agricultural lands, possess the capacity to acquire, manage, and enforce easements, and have sufficient resources to share the estimated costs associated with the easement and related transaction expenses. Entities meeting this criteria are invited to submit their applications by November 27, 2026, to be considered for funding under this project. While applications are accepted year-round, only applications submitted by November 27, 2026, will be considered for this funding round. 

Eligible entities seeking financial assistance towards the protection of  forestland through this project opportunity should contact Rhode Island’s RCPP Coordinator, Marina Capraro, at marina.capraro@usda,gov or (401) 572-5147.

Applications for funding through this project will be accepted through November 27, 2026.

For more information about RCPP, visit the RCPP website. 

To learn more about NRCS programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center.  

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