{"id":19918,"date":"2022-12-09T15:42:13","date_gmt":"2022-12-09T19:42:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/?p=19918"},"modified":"2025-07-31T12:47:35","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T16:47:35","slug":"usda-awards-farmers-helping-hellbenders-project-in-funding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/usda-awards-farmers-helping-hellbenders-project-in-funding\/","title":{"rendered":"USDA Awards Farmers Helping Hellbenders Project in Funding"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The U.S. Department of Agriculture (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usda.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">USDA<\/a>) announced it is awarding $197 million for 41 locally led conservation projects through the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrcs.usda.gov\/wps\/portal\/nrcs\/main\/national\/programs\/financial\/rcpp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)<\/a>. RCPP is a partner-driven program that leverages partner resources to advance innovative projects that address climate change, enhance water quality, and address other critical challenges on agricultural land.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/hellbenderadult-sm.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-0\" data-rl_title=\"Eastern Hellbender adult\" data-rl_caption=\"Eastern Hellbender adult\" title=\"Eastern Hellbender adult\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-19920 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/hellbenderadult-sm-500x263.jpg\" alt=\"Adult Hellbender\" width=\"500\" height=\"263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/hellbenderadult-sm-500x263.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/hellbenderadult-sm-768x403.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/hellbenderadult-sm-250x131.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/hellbenderadult-sm.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur partners are experts in their fields and understand the challenges in their own backyards,\u201d Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. \u201cThrough RCPP we can tap into that knowledge, in partnership with producers and USDA, to come up with lasting solutions to the challenges that farmers, ranchers, and landowners face. We\u2019re looking forward to seeing the results of public-private partnership at its best, made possible through these RCPP investments.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The \u201cFarmers Helping Hellbenders\u201d project, led by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/department\/fnr\/directory.html#\/rodw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dr. Rod Williams<\/a>\u00a0and Purdue Extension wildlife specialist\/<a href=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/department\/extension\/hellbender\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Help the Hellbender<\/a>\u00a0project coordinator\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/department\/fnr\/directory.html#\/nburgmei\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nick Burgmeier<\/a>, is among the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nrcs.maps.arcgis.com\/apps\/Shortlist\/index.html?appid=ab6aa86f9aea48e2af92ed165450d110\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">projects<\/a>\u00a0set to receive funding through the RCCP Classic fund, which uses NRCS contracts and easements with producers, landowners and communities in collaboration with project partners.<\/p>\n<p>Fourteen contributing partners will assist in the project:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/meskerparkzoo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Gardens<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kidszoo.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fort Wayne Children\u2019s Zoo<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indianapoliszoo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indianapolis Zoo<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.in.gov\/idem\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indiana Department of Environmental Management<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/crawfordswcd.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Crawford County Soil and Water Conservation District<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.floydcounty.in.gov\/index.php\/floyd-county-government\/floyd-county-indiana-soil-water-conservation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Floyd County Soil and Water Conservation District<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/harrisoncounty.in.gov\/index.php\/government-harrison-county-offices\/land-a-property\/soil-and-water-conservation-district\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Harrison County Soil and Water Conservation District<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/washingtoncounty.in.gov\/government\/land_and_property\/soil_and_water_conservation.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Crawford-County-Cattlemens-Association-1258733714169506\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Crawford County Cattleman\u2019s Association<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/hccattlemensassociation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Harrison County Cattleman\u2019s Association<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Washington-County-Cattlemens-Association-108584650717750\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Washington County Cattleman\u2019s Association<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/saveamphibians.org\/cig-grants\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cryptobranchid Interest Group<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.org\/en-us\/about-us\/where-we-work\/united-states\/indiana\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Nature Conservancy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/winrock.org\/what-we-do\/wallace-center\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wallace Center at Winrock International<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>With help from nearly $2.7 million in RCCP funding, the project aims to improve hellbender habitat in a four-county region in south central Indiana, the only remaining habitat for hellbenders in the state, by expanding the use of agricultural conservation practices that lead to decreased sedimentation in local rivers systems.<\/p>\n<p>Sedimentation is a major cause of hellbender decline and reduced sedimentation will increase available habitat for hellbenders, mussels, and aquatic macroinvertebrates. This project also will address soil and nutrient loss, which are concerns for agricultural producers, as the targeted conservation practices and systems have been shown to have long-term benefits for agricultural systems and operations.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/hellbendereggspurdue400.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-1\" data-rl_title=\"hellbendereggspurdue400\" data-rl_caption=\"hellbendereggspurdue400\" title=\"hellbendereggspurdue400\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-19919 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/hellbendereggspurdue400-200x200.jpg\" alt=\"Hellbender Eggs\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a>\u201cThrough this initiative, focused on Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, and Washington counties, we expect to improve water quality and aquatic wildlife habitat,\u201d Burgmeier said. \u201cSimultaneously, we hope to improve soil retention and nutrient availability to crops\u00a0by helping farmers implement practices such as cover crops, riparian buffers, grassed waterways, etc. Additional benefits will include increases in riparian and pollinator habitat and increased protection for karst habitat through the selected targeting of sinkholes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As part of each project, partners offer value-added contributions to amplify the impact of RCPP funding in an amount equal to or greater than the NRCS investment. Private landowners can apply to participate in an RCPP project in their region through awarded partners or at their local\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr20.rs6.net%2Ftn.jsp%3Ff%3D001-bLKZLo2Zd277IKcD4Xo6ZyoVvqzjdqKzlvQxTlCXjv6V3kPWe-mIURh4pOl5BbzbiwZycji-hGpd5RRvYfq53eErYFNmIpGKVxtThe7r2fD3qGCp1L22XWdlVd_Zoq927elcK8omD0hY-oDmeGUslw_PzMGLcQu-H-oSEyOQiaCaPazaWYzB5mnyAZlN2qxOrzxaYUKDx0%3D%26c%3D6O76ocxVlA0npo58YaqfA0KXDMb84IM6jZhlioGRE-xnZqDa--O0hw%3D%3D%26ch%3DS4dBy3SPiEO44DR5V1A8PjoJBR7fan9KS8Mcx0RqEQEDWLjIB57Srw%3D%3D&amp;data=05%7C01%7C%7Ce2a2005f2e4a4eda618308da7c5aecc6%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637959027200882753%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=n65RA4MyqmNYH71oO0QrwTy%2BhA7cZQ%2B%2FbWSuPge5tIk%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">USDA service center<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRCPP puts local partners in the driver\u2019s seat to accomplish environmental goals that are most meaningful to their community.\u00a0 Joining together public and private resources also harnesses innovation that neither sector could implement alone,\u201d Indiana NRCS State Conservationist Jerry Raynor said. \u201cWe have seen record enrollment of privately owned lands in NRCS\u2019 conservation programs and RCPP will be instrumental in building on those numbers and demonstrating that government and private entities can work together for greater impacts on Indiana\u2019s communities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For much of the last 16 years, Williams\u00a0and his team have been researching\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/department\/extension\/hellbender\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">eastern hellbenders<\/a>, spearheading regional conservation efforts and advancing hellbender captive propagation, or the\u00a0rearing of this ancient animal in captivity and their eventual return to the wild.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/news\/department\/forestry-and-natural-resources\/2022\/08\/usda-awards-hellbender-project-2.7-million-dollars-in-funding.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Full article &gt; &gt; &gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Additional Resources<br \/>\n<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/KX9cWAELbb8?_ga=2.81839894.168391688.1660794483-1380547434.1660794483\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Improving Water Quality by Protecting Sinkholes on Your Property video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/PBEvCTVHN-s?_ga=2.81839894.168391688.1660794483-1380547434.1660794483\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Improving Water Quality Around Your Farm video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/PBEvCTVHN-s?_ga=2.81839894.168391688.1660794483-1380547434.1660794483\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Adaptations for Aquatic Amphibians<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/edustore.purdue.edu\/item.asp?Item_Number=FNR-532-W\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hellbenders Rock! Nature of Teaching Lesson Plan<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=8tquS_Ym2sI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nature of Teaching &#8211; Hellbenders Rock Sneak Peek video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0-Cv3mTwAnM&amp;t=10s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nature of Teaching &#8211; Hellbenders Rock webinar video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=hgqXh__6llA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn about hellbenders and take a tour of Purdue\u2019s hellbender rearing facility video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/watch\/live\/?v=1074003312982249\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn about the hellbender work at Mesker Park Zoo video <\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/watch\/live\/?v=248099343220798\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn about hellbender work at The Wilds video <\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=cnTh1X7QKGU&amp;feature=emb_logo.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dr. Rod Williams\u2019 2017 TEDx Talk Help the Hellbenders video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/59UkqABwwMU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A Moment in the Wild &#8211; Hellbender Hides video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0-Cv3mTwAnM&amp;t=10s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A Moment in the Wild &#8211; Hellbender Release video\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/department\/fnr\/directory.html#\/wbroker1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Wendy Mayer<\/a>, FNR Communications Coordinator<br \/>\nPurdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ag.purdue.edu\/department\/fnr\/directory.html#\/rodw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rod Williams<\/a>, Assistant Provost for Engagement\/Professor of Wildlife Science<br \/>\nPurdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is awarding $197 million for 41 locally led conservation projects through the\u00a0Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP is a partner-driven program that leverages partner resources to advance innovative projects that address climate change, enhance water quality, and address other critical challenges on agricultural land. \u201cOur partners are [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39,42,54],"tags":[467,702,147,196,912,690,300],"class_list":["post-19918","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-aquaculturefish","category-forestry","category-wildlife","tag-conservation","tag-farmers","tag-forestry-and-natural-resources","tag-hellbender","tag-salamanders","tag-snot-otters","tag-water-quality","audience-for-enthusiasts","audience-for-homeowners","audience-for-landowners","audience-for-professionals"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19918","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/57"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19918"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19918\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34003,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19918\/revisions\/34003"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19918"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19918"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19918"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}