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The Duck River Watershed Society (DRWS) recently announced it was awarded $20 million from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) for 2024.

This grant is considered a major win for conservation efforts in Tennessee, aiming to restore critical habitats within the Upper and Lower Duck River watersheds.

The RCPP, established under the 2018 Farm Bill, is a powerful initiative that leverages federal investments to address regional conservation needs. The program encourages dynamic partnerships to enhance conservation efforts across the U.S.

The funding will be dedicated to restoring aquatic habitats, streams, and wetlands throughout the Duck River area. DRWS will collaborate with landowners to identify areas in need of restoration and work closely with them to rejuvenate these vital ecosystems.

Partnering with DRWS is Ecosystem Planning and Restoration (EPR), an environmental engineering firm based in Manchester and North Carolina.

“EPR is proud to be a part of the USDA-NRCS RCPP project focused on enhancing aquatic habitat for America’s most bio-diverse river,” Richard Hanson, EPR’s local lead engineer, said. “This milestone is a significant step forward in locally driven conservation strategies. We look forward to working on projects that will enhance environmental resilience and support sustainable agriculture across this remarkable watershed in Middle Tennessee.”

Other partners involved in this project are: The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee, Tennessee Environmental Council, and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

DRWS will focus on habitat restoration, erosion prevention, and reducing localized flooding—offering these services at no cost to landowners. This initiative especially aims to support Tennessee’s underserved and minority farming communities, empowering local landowners to engage in conservation.

“Our goal is to collaborate with landowners and farmers to restore up to 20 miles of the watershed,” Kevin Vann, founder of DRWS, said. “This RCPP grant is incredibly impactful, allowing us to make a lasting positive change on the Duck River ecosystem.”

DRWS will work with Tennessee State RCPP Coordinator Devin Ross to over the next few months to develop application guidelines and processes for interested landowners and farmers. Partner applications are expected to open in spring 2025.

“This ambitious five-year program promises to transform the Duck River watershed, benefiting local communities and the environment for years to come,” DRWS officials said.