Forest Landowners in Rhode Island eligible for USDA funding to permanently protect their land

The RI Forest Health Works Project is a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) agreement between NRCS, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) Division of Forest Environment and 10 partners. This partnership will leverage over $3.9 million in 5 years to protect critical forests across the state of Rhode Island.

Program options

The RI Forest Health Works Project provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve forest lands and their related benefits through two distinct paths for land protection:

• U.S.-Held Easements allow eligible landowners to enter into producer contracts to place conservation easements on their land to protect critical forestlands. For help applying, contact Samantha Thibault, Conservation Planner, at [email protected].
• Entity-Held Easements help private and tribal landowners, in partnership with land trusts or other entities like state and local governments, to protect forestlands by placing conservation easements. For help applying, eligible entities should contact Joanne Riccitelli, Land Protection Specialist, at [email protected].

Applications will be ranked according to their contribution to the RCPP project goals of protecting forest land, water quality, and wildlife habitat.

Applying for assistance

Funding is provided through a competitive process. NRCS accepts applications for its conservation programs year-round but sets state-specific ranking dates to evaluate applications for funding. These dates account for producer needs, staff workload and ensure potential participants have ample opportunity to apply. Interested participants and entities should apply by December 19, 2025, to be considered for RI Forest Health Works RCPP funding in the current cycle. Applications received after this ranking date will be automatically deferred to the next funding period.

NRCS is a federal agency that works hand-in-hand with conservation districts and the people of Rhode Island to improve and protect soil, water, air, plants, animals and other natural resources.

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