Representatives of over 200 conservation, farm and wildlife groups have written federal appropriators asking them not to cut 2018 fiscal year funding for conservation programs. National Association of Conservation Districts CEO Jeremy Peters says conservation has already contributed savings to the federal budget in past appropriations.

He says if President Trump’s 2018 budget proposal is approved it would be nearly impossible to deliver conservation programs.

Peters says the two most important conservation programs that need funding preserved are the Conservation Stewardship Program and Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

Peters says it’s also critical that funding for conservation technical assistance be protected.