The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has received a five-year, $15 million investment from Nestlé and Cargill in support of sustainable grazing practices across the United States.

The BeefUp Sustainability initiative brings together private landowners and local conservation organizations to help cattle producers adopt voluntary agricultural practices that combat climate change and protect vital habitat for native wildlife—such as migrating songbirds, elk, and freshwater mussels—while sustaining a robust beef supply chain. According to NFWF, investing in regenerative practices on 1.7 million acres over the next five years has the potential to sequester up to an estimated 845,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. The initiative will help generate carbon benefits across more than 15 states and leverage up to $15 million in federal funds, leading to as much as $30 million in grant funding. The first tranche of grants will be announced in April.

“The conservation challenges of our time can feel daunting, but when we engage public and private institutions, we are able to unlock potential—in technical expertise, in funding, and in results,” said NFWF executive director and CEO Jeff Trandahl. “This partnership with two of the world’s largest food companies will have a nationally significant grassland impact while also benefitting ranching families at the local level.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Karen H. Black)