Natural Resource Investments (NRI)

What is the Natural Resource Investments Program?

Conservation districts use Natural Resource Investments funding from the Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) to offer local, incentive-based programs that empower landowners to voluntarily install best management practices (BMPs). BMPs advance progress toward resource objectives, such as improved water quality and habitat, and are farm-friendly.

Why this Program Matters

Natural Resource Investments funding enables landowners and communities to complete voluntary projects that address state and local natural resource priorities – such as salmon recovery, climate resilience, and forest health.

Using funding from this program, conservation districts offer “cost-share” as an incentive for landowners to install eligible conservation projects. Cost-share means a landowner only pays a portion of a project’s total cost – the remaining portion is paid by the conservation district. This incentive increases landowner interest and participation in conservation work.