Regional Conservation Partnership Program
The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) is a project funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) exclusively for Tribal Buffalo herds on Tribally controlled lands in 3 regions (Northern Great Plains: MT, SD, ND, WY), (Southeast: OK, NE, KS, FL),and (Southwest: NM, AZ, CO, UT). Approximately $16 million has been allocated for each region to implement conservation practices. This is the first contract of this magnitude awarded exclusively to support conservation work for Tribal buffalo herds. This project will expand and enhance Tribally managed buffalo herds through active land management activities such as prescribed fire, prescribed grazing, and range planting along with critical infrastructure development including
fencing and water facilities. Applications will only be accepted from Federally recognized Tribes. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Applicants must meet NRCS eligibility requirements. Eligible land under this project will consist of Tribally controlled land within the 12 State region.
WHAT IS THE REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM?
The purpose of ITBC’s Tribal Buffalo Restoration project is to restore and manage native grassland ecosystems utilizing buffalo and conservation practices on Tribally controlled land. The Northern Great Plains project areas are Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The Southeast project areas are Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Florida. The Southwest project areas areArizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Regional Conservation Partnership Program Supplemental Agreement numbers 3454, 3503, 4154. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
This project’s activities include:
-
ITBC will collaborate with Tribes, NRCS, and other partners to ensure deliverables are compliant with technical, environmental, and fiduciary activities specific to this RCPP.
-
Supporting Tribally managed buffalo herds with their goals for buffalo restoration and/or expansion and enhance conservation efforts.
-
Conducts field inventories and analyses of enrolled lands to meet NRCS standards.
The RCPP will provide technical and funding assistance for the development of restoration and/or expansion opportunities for buffalo herds on Tribally controlled lands with conservation practices that meet Tribal needs. ITBC is focused on strengthening the Tribes, relationships, and cultural and economic systems that support Tribal buffalo conservation across Indian Country. Tribally managed buffalo programs represent a wide range of geographies, climates, herd sizes, goals, and available resources.
For more information, please contact:
Cassie Powell
Northern Great Plains RCPP Project Director for Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. ​
Email: Cassiep@itbcbuffalonation.org
Phone: 406-450-4128
Paige Schmidt
Southeast RCPP Project Director for Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Florida. ​
Email: Paige@itbcbuffalonation.org
Phone: 605-394-9730
Beth Baragary
Southwest RCPP Project Director for Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. ​
Email: Beth@itbcbuffalonation.org
Phone: 816-725-8278
This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Regional Conservation Partnership Program Supplemental Agreement numbers 3454, 3503, 4154. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.