A highlight of this year’s legislative successes is the approval of a record $25 million for REAP, Iowa’s popular Resource Enhancement and Protection Program.
In 1989, the Legislature created REAP to look after Iowa’s natural resources and cultural history. REAP has supported 14,535 projects in all 99 counties. Investment of $264 million statewide has leveraged two to three times as much in private, local and federal money.
REAP’s Historical Resources Development Program provides grants to preserve, conserve, interpret, enhance and educate Iowans about our state’s history. Historical resource development projects receive 5 percent of REAP funds each year.
The State Historical Society of Iowa makes grants to individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations and agencies that use the money for a wide variety of historic preservation projects, libraries, archives and museums. More than $15.5 million in grant funds have been awarded for more than 1,200 historical projects across the state.
These projects encourage and support economic and cultural development by improving the quality of life for all Iowans through outdoor recreation opportunities and preservation of our cultural and historic treasures.
To see more of the good work REAP has done in Iowa over the last 25 years, go to www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/REAP/ProjectsbyCounty.aspx.