Conservation

Upcoming RCPP Enrollment Opportunities

Upcoming RCPP Enrollment Opportunities

The California Rice Commission’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) is now well underway, and the next enrollment opportunity is approaching. New enrollment opportunities include key upland habitat enhancements on non-cropped areas of farms as well as cover crop planting for next fall and winter seasons. Winter flooding practices are also available. If you are interested in the upland habitat component or want to get an early application in for practices next winter, please visit your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office to get your application completed. Applications must be submitted to your local NRCS office by January 13, 2023.

Major Practices included:

  1. Upland Habitat Enhancements
    • Long-term plantings to enhance habitat for pheasant, songbirds, pollinators, etc.
  2. Cover Crops
    • Fall planting in 2023
  3. Winter Flooding with Variable Drawdown – High and Low Intensity
    • Winter flooding and extended drawdowns for winter season 2023-24
  4. Seasonal Flooding with Gradual Drawdown
    • Summer shorebird Flooding (July – September)

To apply please visit your local NRCS office. If you have general questions contact Luke Matthews, Wildlife Programs Manager for the California Rice Commission, at (916) 607-8988 or lmatthews@calrice.org

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Enrollment Opportunity Reminder for Idled Rice Acres

Enrollment Opportunity Reminder for Idled Rice Acres

We are looking for fallow rice fields that will be idled during the 2023 growing season and have cover crops or significant volunteer vegetation on them. The RCPP will pay rice farmers $24.71/acre to leave vegetation undisturbed for the waterfowl nesting season (April 1 – July 15) and allow access to monitor nesting activity. To sign up, please visit your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office and ask about this practice.

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