Ducks Unlimited Compensating Landowners Participating in South Dakota Working Grasslands Partnership

BISMARCK, N.D. – May 1, 2025 – In late 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded Ducks Unlimited (DU) $25 million under the USDA's Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to restore more than 25,000 acres of grasslands over five years. The goal was to incentivize a voluntary, partnership-driven approach to conservation on working agricultural lands.

While the temporary freeze on some federal programs stalled the application of the program, the recent release of the funds made it possible for the program to continue as planned, and we're looking for interested participants.

With the RCPP investment, DU and other RCPP partners will work with South Dakota producers during the 10-year commitment. Participants receive incentive payments during years one to three of the initial grass establishment phase. Technical assistance for seeding plans and infrastructure support for grazing systems are also provided. After year three, landowners can utilize the re-established grasslands for grazing and haying. Learn more from the film below and apply at tinyurl.com/WGP-RCPP. Or, contact DU's South Dakota Manager of Conservation Programs Bruce Toay at btoay@ducks.org or 605-380-0684.

"This is a great opportunity for landowners who have always been interested in conservation but might have been worried about how it would affect their bottom line to put more grass on the prairie and restore marginal croplands without having to make financial cuts elsewhere," Toay said. "Even after the new grasses are established, Ducks Unlimited and the other partnering organizations will continue to provide assistance in the years after to make sure each project reaches its full potential."

Other organizations like the Natural Resources Conservation Service, South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, South Dakota Grassland Coalition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks and Audubon Great Plains are partnering on the initiative.

The projects will increase carbon sequestration in soils, reduce nitrogen loss, and help capture atmospheric carbon. They will also aid floodwater storage, reduce the effects of erosion, and increase migratory waterfowl biodiversity.

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing wetlands, grasslands and other waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has restored or protected more than 19 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science, DU’s projects benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people in all 50 states. DU is growing its mission through a historic $3 billion Conservation For A Continent capital campaign. Learn more at www.ducks.org.

Media Contact:
Ben Romans
(208) 761-7775
bromans@ducks.org