Wetlands Reserve Program (10.072)
Wetlands Reserve Program (Assistance Listing 10.072) is run by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, part of the Department of Agriculture. It awarded $12.3 million in 28 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $440,399 per award on average. 1 funding opportunity is open or forecast now.
The typical award was $237,500. Half of the 28 awards fell between $120,739 and $603,573, and they ranged from $41,333 to $3.0 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$12.3 million
- Grant awards28
- Typical award$237,500
- Awarded in FY 2025-$60,664
- Size rank1441 of 1824
- Type of assistanceCooperative agreements
Key findings
- It is the 1441st largest of 1,824 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 121% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 19 states and territories.
What the program funds
To assist landowners in restoring and protecting wetlands on eligible lands on which they agree to enter into a permanent or 30-year long-term easement (30-year contract for Indian Tribes), or a restoration cost-share agreement with the Secretary. The purpose of WRP is to maximize wetland functions and values and wildlife benefits on every acre enrolled in the program.
Open opportunities
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
State (includes territories, such as District of Columbia and Puerto Rico), public institutions of higher education and hospitals, Local (includes State-designated lndian Tribes, excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals), Federally Recognized lndian Tribal Governments, Individual/Family, Native American Organizations (includes lndian groups, cooperatives, corporations, partnerships, associations)
What the money can and cannot pay for
The goal of the WRP is to achieve the greatest wetland functions and values, along with optimum wildlife habitat on every acre enrolled in the program. At least 70 percent of the wetland and upland areas will be restored to the natural condition to the extent practicable; the remaining 30 percent of the project area may be restored to other than natural conditions.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2025: NRCS has 88 easements on 23,534 acres funded through Healthy Forests Reserve Program from 2006 through 2025.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Wetlands Reserve Program (10.072) awarded$12.3 million across 28 grant awards, an average of $440,399 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas System | Arkansas | 1 | $3.0 million |
| Ducks Unlimited, Inc. | Mississippi | 3 | $2.8 million |
| Ducks Unlimited Inc | California | 2 | $1.9 million |
| Pheasants Forever, Inc. | Minnesota | 2 | $1.7 million |
| Lewis & Clark Community College | Illinois | 1 | $951,267 |
| University of Vermont & State Agricultural College | Vermont | 1 | $633,286 |
| MCL Jasco Inc | Michigan | 1 | $614,290 |
| Natural Resources South Carolina Department | South Carolina | 1 | $600,000 |
| Ecostudies Institute | Washington | 1 | $600,000 |
| The Trust for Tomorrow | North Carolina | 2 | $378,257 |
| Woodard & Curran Inc | Maine | 1 | $332,170 |
| Utah State University | Utah | 1 | $327,295 |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | Alaska | 1 | $200,000 |
| University of Florida | Florida | 1 | $192,794 |
| Humboldt County Resource Conservation District | California | 1 | $150,000 |
| American Conservation Experience | Arizona | 1 | $138,842 |
| Colorado State University | Colorado | 1 | $137,134 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University | Virginia | 1 | $122,904 |
| Cwi Works, Inc | Maryland | 1 | $110,981 |
| Florida International University | Florida | 1 | $99,807 |
Who usually wins
Nonprofits received 48% of the money, colleges and universities 44% and small businesses 4.9%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonprofits | 13 | $6.1 million | 48% |
| Colleges and universities | 10 | $5.5 million | 44% |
| Small businesses | 1 | $614,290 | 4.9% |
| Businesses | 1 | $332,170 | 2.6% |
By state
4 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards. They are Arkansas, Mississippi, Minnesota and California.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | 1 | $3.0 million |
| Mississippi | 3 | $2.2 million |
| Minnesota | 2 | $1.7 million |
| California | 3 | $1.1 million |
| Illinois | 1 | $951,267 |
| Vermont | 1 | $633,286 |
| Michigan | 1 | $614,290 |
| South Carolina | 1 | $600,000 |
| Washington | 1 | $597,500 |
| North Carolina | 2 | $378,257 |
| Maine | 1 | $332,170 |
| Utah | 1 | $327,295 |
| Florida | 2 | $292,601 |
| Alaska | 1 | $200,000 |
| Colorado | 2 | $178,467 |
| Arizona | 1 | $138,842 |
| Virginia | 1 | $122,904 |
| Maryland | 1 | $110,981 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $80,539 |