If you own crop or pastureland on one of the Hawaiian Islands, you may be eligible to participate in a new conservation program that rewards its participants with money. This new program has been put in place as a way of ensuring that Hawaii's natural splendor will stay intact for generations to come.

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, or CREP for short, is a voluntary land retirement program, where participants take portions of their land that are critical to environmental health, and dedicate it to conservation. Landowners who sign up for the program will sign 15-year contracts, wherein they will save part of their property from agricultural production, development and deterioration. The land is then used for growing native species of plants, trees, and other types of vegetation that help to support the surrounding environment, including local wildlife.

Through a partnership between the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Hawaiian government, incentives are being paid to landowners who voluntarily participate in the conservation program. Participants may receive a one-time payment or annuities to keep the land idle. The amount that owners will receive for their land varies, but you can contact the nearest USDA Center to learn about the financial reimbursement options available, and also to see if your property is eligible for the program.

In order to participate in CREP, your land must be marginal pastureland that lies adjacent to streams or other water ways, or it must be cropland that is viable for agricultural purposes. Landowners must have owned the property for a minimum of one year prior to signing up, though there are exceptions, such as the death of the previous owner, or acquiring the land after a foreclosure.

The goals of CREP are essentially to restore lands that have been deteriorating due to agricultural practices. Trees, plants, grasses and shrubs will be returned to the land, which will help restore wetlands and natural habitats for Hawaii's threatened and endangered wildlife. Another benefit is that invasive species will be significantly reduced in watersheds where the program is implemented. CREP is also geared towards improving the quality of Hawaii's drinking water. By enhancing the state of the riparian buffer, the amount of soil run-off and sedimentation is significantly reduced.

Officials are hoping to acquire approximately 15,000 acres of marginal pastureland or eligible cropland through the program. Specific milestones that they hope to reach include reducing sediment and nutrient run-off by at least 10%, increasing the amount of coral reef cover by at least 5%, and improving the diversity among coral species. Through their reforestation efforts and improvement in the area's riparian buffer zones, estimates are that at least ten of Hawaii's threatened or endangered species will have their habitats restored. There will also be a substantial improvement in the amount of groundwater recharge through the program.

By launching the CREP program in Hawaii, officials and participants are working hard to ensure that Hawaii stays beautiful for future residents. They're also making it possible for native plant and animal species to live in their natural habitats once again, which is great news for everyone. If you live in one of the following counties, you may be eligible to participate in CREP: Kauai, Hawaii, Maui, and Honolulu.