Illinois River Watershed to get huge boost to restore riparian forest

Tuesday, August 25, at 9:00 am at the Embassy Suites in Rogers
Governor Mike Beebe will announce a historic $30 million
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
to benefit the Illinois River Watershed and volunteer landowners.

The 15-year Voluntary CREP Program includes
$24 million federal contribution from USDA
$3 million in-kind State match
$1.5 million from Arkansas Natural Resources Commission
$1 million from the Walton Family Foundation and
$500,000 in local public and private funds
including the Arkansas Poultry Federation.
The Illinois River Watershed CREP seeks to establish or restore ripar ian forest buffers and wildlife habitat buffers by planting native grasses, trees, and shrubs. The goal of the IRW CREP is to conserve, restore and protect water quality, enrolling up to 15,000 acres of eligible marginal pasture and cropland within the Illinois River Watershed.
Join us for Tuesday's historic announcement at

9:00 am. Embassy Suites, Rogers, Arkansas