“The nation that destroys its soil destroys itself.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt, former President of the United States

Uncle Sam Saves Soil

If you think protected areas are just in parks, think again. The federal government offers assistance to farmers and ranchers who want to set aside parts of their land that are especially susceptible to erosion. Under the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the government offers payment—in the form of rent for the land, incentives for certain soil-saving activities, and assistance for planting ground-covering plants—to farmers and ranchers who protect their land from erosion. CRP is a very successful program that has not only helped reduce soil erosion but also allowed wildlife populations to rebound significantly because of increased grassland and forest habitats. So, CRP has truly led to a whole new “crop” of biodiversity!