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Departments | Conservation | In the News | What does REAP do for you? - November 4, 2006

What does REAP do for you?

Resource Enhancement and Protection funds put to use across Cerro Gordo County

Article written by Todd Vonehwegen, used with permission from theGlobe Gazette, published on Saturday, November 4, 2006.

 

I have a question for all of you prairie enthusiasts, cross-country skiers, fishermen and women, hunters, bird watchers, nature photographers, and many others who enjoy the outdoors: What does REAP stand for?

 

It stands for Resource Enhancement and Protection Program, and most likely it has greatly improved your outdoor opportunities and experiences. Unfortunately, though, the average citizen is not aware of REAP, so backers of the program are trying to increase its name recognition. October was REAP Awareness Month, and all who enjoy Iowa's great natural resources should take heed.

 

REAP is funded from the state's Environmental First Fund (Iowa gaming receipts) and from the sale of natural resource license plates. The program is authorized to receive $20 million per year until 2021, but it has only realized that level of funding in just one year (1991) since its inception in 1989.

 

REAP funds go into the following natural resource programs based upon percentages that are specified in the law: DNR open space (28 percent), city parks and open space (15 percent), soil and water enhancement (20 percent), county conservation (20 percent), DNR land management (9 percent), historical resources (5 percent), roadside vegetation (3 percent), and environmental education ($350,000 allocation).

 

Since 1989, about $34 million from REAP has been dedicated to county conservation boards in the form of direct allocations and competitive grants. With that kind of funding support, you can bet that county conservation boards throughout the state know exactly what REAP stands for, and what a positive impact it has had on each of their local conservation efforts.

 

In Cerro Gordo County, many important natural resource projects would never have occurred without the help of REAP. To date, the Cerro Gordo County Conservation Board has received $262,714 in REAP allocations.

 

The CGCCB has put this money to work for local citizens in many ways. REAP dollars have helped to purchase several important prairie and wetland areas that protect habitat for wildlife and provide numerous recreational opportunities for the public. Cross-country skiers enjoy trails at Lime Creek Nature Center that are groomed with a snowmobile purchased with REAP funds. REAP funding was used to restore the old brewery historical site at Lime Creek. Naturalist and conservation intern salaries have been funded by REAP. The CGCCB Roadside Management program has used REAP funds to purchase a native seed drill and seed cleaning equipment.

 

To learn more about REAP and how it has enhanced various projects in your community and throughout Iowa, be sure to see: www.iowadnr.com/reap/index.html. At this site you can also learn how to purchase the REAP license plates that will enhance the look of your vehicle and support this program.

 

The next time you are enjoying your favorite outdoor activity, remember what REAP stands for, and more importantly, recognize its tremendous value to our natural resources and quality of life in Iowa.

Cerro Gordo County Conservation Office