USDA offering Delmarva farmers, landowners money to preserve American Black Duck

The USDA want to give money to Delmarva farmers and landowners interested in helping restore habitats for the American Black Duck. Officials say areas of southwestern Sussex County and northern Wicomico County are top priorities for habitat restoration and enhancement, while Coastal areas are being targeted for protection. Available funding will go to restore tidal, floodplain, and fresh wetland habitats on cropland and forestland to create ideal habitats for the black duck. Anyone interested in receiving funding should sign up before March 16^th so the USDA can include it in their FY 2018 budget.

Applicants must meet USDA NRCS program eligibility requirements to be considered for funding. NRCS accepts applications on a continuous basis but makes funding selections at specific times.

To find out eligibility requirements along with more information, please visit your local USDA service center. In Delaware’s Sussex County, call 302-856-3990, ext. 3; in Kent County, call 302-741-2600, ext. 3; and in New Castle County, call 302-832-3100, ext. 3. Or visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/wildlife or www.de.nrcs.usda.gov.