WINTER 2021
PA CREP News and Updates
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Holly Miller Joins PACD Staff as Program Manager
Hello, I am Holly Miller, the new Program Manager at the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts. I will be working on promoting CREP in Pennsylvania as part of our CREP Outreach Program Office. Feel free to reach out at any time at hmiller@pacd.org. 
New Round of CREP Mini-grants Now Accepting Applications
The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) is now accepting mini-grant applications for up to $500 to implement virtual educational and outreach activities that support and extend the work of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). Projects should focus on CREP enrollment, re-enrollment and/or CREP maintenance.
The deadline to apply for the CREP Mini-grant Program is March 19, 2021.
 
The guidelines and application for the new CREP mini-grant program for conservation districts are posted here https://pacd.org/?page_id=12284. Questions should be directed to Holly Miller at hmiller@pacd.org.

Financial and other support for the CREP Outreach Program Office Mini-grant Program is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a Growing Greener Watershed Protection grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and with additional support from USDA-NRCS.
Results of the 2019-2020 CREP Mini-grant Round
PACD Conducting Farmer Focus Groups
PACD is conducting farmer focus groups to hear from local farmers about the CREP program. These conversations will help us understand how to successfully deliver this program and meet the needs of landowners. When the results are available, we will share them in a future issue. Stay tuned! 
Landowner Guide to Buffer Success
CREP partners are updating the Landowner Guide to Buffer Success that was last published in 2007. The guide will include tips for seasonal maintenance of buffers.

PACD will have 2,500 calendar-style guides available for distribution in the coming months.
DCNR Riparian Forest Buffer Funding Available
The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is leading a broad initiative to increase riparian forest buffer establishment statewide, including providing grants to install riparian forest buffers along waterways in Pennsylvania.

Riparian buffers are the trees, shrubs, and grasses planted along waterways that help protect water quality. Buffers improve the health and diversity of local ecosystems by:
  • Filtering pollutants
  • Improving bank stability
  • Reducing erosion and flooding to providing wildlife habitat and cooling water temperatures

DCNR supports both conventional riparian forest buffers and multifunctional buffers. Multi-functional buffers (PDF) provide benefits beyond conservation.

In Pennsylvania, landowners and partners are encouraged to consider buffers that provide opportunities for harvesting products, such as:
  • Nuts
  • Berries
  • Woody florals
  • Forbs

Applicants are encouraged to include the multifunctional riparian forest buffer concept in their proposed project funding request.

Eligible projects for Riparian Forest Buffer Program funding include:
  • Landowner outreach
  • Buffer design
  • Site preparation and buffer installation
  • Plant materials and tree shelters
  • Post-planting establishment (approximately three years)

Riparian Forest Buffer Grant Requirements
  • The minimum grant award is $50,000.
  • Funds provided by DCNR may not exceed 50 percent of the approved project cost.
  • Local match can include cash and/or non-cash (volunteer, donation, in-kind) sources.
  • Minimum buffer width is 15 feet. Applicants are strongly encouraged to implement an average buffer width of 35 feet or more.
  • Applicants who undertake a buffer project must be willing to enter into a landowner agreement (PDF) with each participating landowner for a minimum of 25 years. Conservation easements also may be considered as a form of landowner agreement.



2021 Virtual Riparian Forest Buffer Summit
The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy are partnering to host the 2021 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit virtually on March 10 and 11, 2021.

All riparian buffer professionals, decision-makers, and volunteers are encouraged to join! Attendees will enjoy sessions on the latest forest buffer science, outreach and implementation strategies, funding options, and more. Registration is now open and will be $15/individual for the virtual event: detailed agenda and additional information to come. Attendance will be limited to the first 300 registrants, and the registration deadline is
February 26.
Click here to register.
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Are You a Member of the CREP Partners Listserve?

Members of the CREP Partners Listserve already know that it’s a convenient way to share and receive program information, but did you know it’s also an email discussion group? Listserve members can ask questions, seek opinions, and discuss current issues related to the program through the list. Interested partners can email Molly Burns at mburns@pacd.org to join.
Financial and other support for the CREP Outreach Program Office is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a Growing Greener Watershed Protection grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and with additional support from USDA-NRCS.

  The Pennsylvania CREP program is administered by the USDA Farm Service Agency.

CREP Outreach Program Office | 717.238.7223 | info@creppa.org | www.creppa.org