The Tennessee Partner's Project, a multi-agency partnership that includes the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ducks Unlimited, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, UT Extension Service and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, recently received $100,000 in funding.

Money for the program was provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The goal for TPP is to improve waterfowl breeding ground on private properties.

"The Tennessee Partner's Project has been very successful," Ducks Unlimited Regional Biologist Tim Willis said. "It is a true partnership among various agencies and organizations that share a common goal of enhancing wintering waterfowl habitat while improving water quality."

While the TWRA said most of the work done by TPP is on land in West Tennessee, applications for funding from the service is available to anyone in the state.

Landowners interested in taking part in the project can apply for funding a their local USDA Service Center. The nearest service centers are located at 4730 New Harvest Lane in Knoxville, 424 N. Kentucky St., in Kingston, 616 Warren St., in Madisonville, 320 Congress Parkway North in Athens and 2691 Andersonville Highway in Clinton.

The next funding deadline is Feb. 15. Those selected can use funds to install water control structures, build or repair dikes that will promote minimum or no-till farming, increase soil moisture and inhibit weed growth.

Participating landowners will receive a project construction plan, financial assistance for water control structure materials, technical assistance during installation and management recommendations.
More information on Ducks Unlimited Conservation Projects can be found at http://www.ducks.org/tennessee/tennessee-projects.

For more information on USDA Conservation Programs, visit http://www.tn.nrcs.usda.gov/.