What is WRE?
Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) is a voluntary conservation easement program that can help landowners protect, restore, and enhance wetlands and improve wildlife habitat, often on marginal and frequently flooded cropland. It is part of the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).
Restoring America’s Wetland through Wetland Reserve Easements
Get Your Questions Answered
Speak directly to an NRCS Specialist
Arkansas: 501-301-3166
Louisiana: 318-473-7751
Mississippi: 601-836-3947
Your local NRCS field office can provide you with additional information, an application, and answer questions.
What Do Landowners Say About WRE?
8 Reasons to Enroll in WRE
Who Qualifies
Owners of agricultural land that is frequently wet and produces low yields may be eligible. These include:
- Farmed wetlands
- Wetlands previously converted to cropland, pasture, or hayland
- Former or degraded wetlands
- Stream-side areas
- Some Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands
- Even farms with small acreage may apply
What are the Financial Benefits?
Easement payment amounts vary by state, county, land type, and may change each year. The link below displays the current payment rates for each state. In addition, NRCS will cover 100% of the restoration costs for permanent easements and 75% for 30-year easements.
Learn More About WRE in Your State
Download Understanding NRCS Wetland Reserve Easements for your state.
Mississippi
Arkansas
Louisiana
