Oklahoma City — The Oklahoma Conservation Commission (OCC) has launched the Restoring Natural Ecology in Wetlands (ReNEW) Program, a new initiative offering technical and financial support for a variety of wetland restoration practices that further the goals of OCC’s Water Quality Division.

Unanimously approved by the Commission on October 6, 2025, the ReNEW program aims to address environmental concerns and provide conservation solutions through wetland creation and restoration.

Oklahoma wetlands provide essential services to Oklahomans, including improving water quality, reducing flooding, recharging aquifers, and providing recreational opportunities. The program, led by the OCC Wetlands team, focuses on improving the quantity, quality, and biological diversity of wetlands in Oklahoma. It combines technical assistance and financial incentives to encourage Oklahoma’s landowners to adopt wetland restoration practices.

ReNEW offers up to $35,000 per approved applicant who implements wetland restoration practices.

The program’s application window will open on January 1, 2026, and close on March 1, 2026. Applicants must be a district cooperator with an approved cooperator agreement and are expected to implement and maintain the conservation practice(s) for the expected life specified by the practice standard and/ or the recommendation of the Commission Wetlands Team consultant.

The Commission Wetlands Team will review and rank applications using a preset ranking tool. Approved applicants and their conservation district will be notified by April 1, 2026. This initiative represents a significant step in the ongoing effort to preserve and restore Oklahoma’s wetlands.

For more information, interested individuals are encouraged to contact their local conservation district office, the Wetlands website, or Maggie Woods at maggie. woods@ conservation. ok.gov, 405-431-0958.