NRCS offers easement programs to eligible landowners to conserve working agricultural lands, wetlands, grasslands and forestlands. The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) is a new program under the 2014 Farm Bill that consolidates three former programs – the Wetlands Reserve Program, Grassland Reserve Program and Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program. ACEP provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits. To learn more about ACEP, visit the ACEP Web page.
Under the Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) component, NRCS helps Indian Tribes, State, and local governments and non-governmental organizations protect working agricultural lands and limit non-agricultural uses of the land.
Under the Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE) component, NRCS helps to restore, protect and enhance enrolled wetlands.
