The state of Oklahoma supports many distinct types of wetlands such as playa lakes, riparian wetlands, and cypress swamps. In the late 1980s to early 1990s, both the state and federal governments pushed for a strategy that would construct a framework to assist in the sound management of Oklahoma’s wetland resources. An interagency working group led by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission accomplished this task in May of 1996. The strategy focused on voluntary measures for wetland protection versus regulation.

The Conservation Commission, as well as other wetland agencies in Oklahoma, have a variety of ongoing wetland projects to meet the goals and objectives of the state strategy which are funded through the Wetlands Program of the Environmental Protection Agency Region VI. The ultimate goal of each project is to provide landowners, students, and agency personnel commonsense approaches to wetland issues through education, demonstration and restoration.

Visit the Oklahoma Wetlands Program website to learn more.

ReNEW Cost-Share Program

Wetlands provide essential services to Oklahomans, including water quality improvement, flood reduction, aquifer recharge, and recreational opportunities. However, wetland restoration can be costly and require technical expertise that makes implementation inaccessible for most Oklahomans. 

OCC’s Restoring Natural Ecology in Wetlands (ReNEW) Cost-Share Program offers technical and financial assistance to landowners interested in restoring, creating, or enhancing a wetland on their property.

The program is available state-wide, and applicants may receive funding for up to 80% of total restoration costs up to $35,000 per project.

The 2026 Application Period opens January 1, 2026.

Applications can be submitted through the landowner’s local conservation district or sent directly to maggie.woods@conservation.ok.gov.

For more information, visit this page: ReNEW Program | Oklahoma Wetlands Program