James River RCPP Update

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Awards RCPP funds to Watershed Committee of the Ozarks and Partners to leverage $2,115,247 in Southwest Missouri to support the protection of clean drinking water for more than 150,000 Missourians, improve the local farming economy, help Springfield and Greene County meet federal water quality requirements and improve aquatic ecosystems along the James River Headwaters.

Through RCPP, conservation partners work in collaboration with NRCS to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners throughout the nation to implement systems that conserve water and soil resources, improve the health of wildlife habitats and increase climate resilience.

RCPP funds will provide significant cost-share opportunities for producers and landowners in the James River Watershed upstream of Lake Springfield for activities like:

• Planting trees along waterways
• Fencing infrastructure for prescribed grazing systems
• Improving wildlife cover and habitat
• Forest and soil health improvements
• Voluntary conservation easements and land rentals

RCPP partners offer value-added contributions to amplify the impact of RCPP funding. These projects offer impactful and measurable outcomes. Throughout its history, RCPP has leveraged partner contributions of more than $1 for every $1 invested by USDA, resulting in nearly $3 billion collectively invested in natural resource conservation on private lands.
For more information, visit the USDA’s RCPP website.

Local PARTNERS for James River Headwaters RCPP

• City Utilities of Springfield
• Greene County
• The City of Springfield
• The Missouri Department of Conservation
• Ozark Greenways
• James River Basin Partnership
• MFA Incorporated
• Missouri Rural Water Association
• Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District