The Grassland Resilience and Conservation Initiative is a Sand County Foundation program that helps ranchers implement conservation on working grazing land. Sand County grazing specialists work directly with ranchers to build "shovel-ready" conservation plans (compatible with federal programs such as EQIP and CSP) and provide cost-share and technical assistance for regenerative grazing, habitat restoration, and water and soil conservation. The initiative spans 15 states with a goal of improving 1 million acres of grassland, and is funded through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).
Eligibility
Ranchers operating working ranchland in the 15 participating states: California, Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Terms
Cost-share plus free technical assistance and conservation planning for regenerative grazing, habitat restoration, and water/soil conservation practices on working ranchland.
Application Instructions
Ranchers apply directly through Sand County Foundation's rancher inquiry form. The program is actively enrolling. Contact: Briana Schnelle, bschnelle@sandcountyfoundation.org.
Resources
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Updated September 1, 2026
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