In honor of the 25th anniversary of Iowa’s popular Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP), the Legislature overwhelmingly approved a record $25 million in funding this year. Unfortunately, Governor Branstad vetoed $9 million of that, which would have helped clean up our waterways and improve our environment.
REAP is a nationally recognized program that succeeds on the combined efforts of Iowa stakeholders from conservation, hunting, water quality, history and other groups. They have come together to promote REAP in a way that preserves our state’s heritage and improves quality of life.
In 1989, the Legislature created REAP to protect Iowa’s natural resources and cultural history through land acquisition and protection, state and local park improvements, soil and water quality projects, and funding for cultural and historical organizations. REAP also commits $350,000 each year to conservation education.
REAP has supported 14,535 projects in all 99 counties. An investment of $264 million statewide has leveraged two to three times as much in private, local and federal money. The majority of money appropriated for REAP goes to local efforts approved by county committees, including roadside vegetation, city parks and county conservation.
For more information on REAP, including projects in each county, go to www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/REAP.aspx.