** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** HABITAT LOSS AND FRAGMENTATION ARE THE LARGEST CAUSES OF BIODIVERSITY LOSS AND RESULTING DECLINES IN ECOSYSTEM SERVICES, INCLUDING IN AGROECOSYSTEMS. GLOBAL CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES WILL REQUIRE REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURAL SOLUTIONS IN CROPLAND THAT ALSO MAINTAIN YIELDS. THIS CHALLENGE IS IDENTIFIED AS A PROGRAM PRIORITY AREA FOR SUSTAINABLE AGROECOSYSTEMS, AND IT DEMANDS NEW DATA-SUPPORTED APPROACHES THAT DELIVER THE HIGHEST BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES GAIN WHILE HAVING THE LOWEST LOSS IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION. ONE SUCH APPROACH IS TO PLANT AREAS WITHIN FARMS THAT ARE CONSISTENTLY LOW YIELDING; THESE AREAS CONSTITUTE 23 MILLION ACRES OF CROPLAND IN THE US MIDWEST, TO NATIVE PERENNIAL VEGETATION. ACADEMIC LABS, A STATE AGENCY, AND SHARECROPPERS WILL COLLABORATE TO PLANT AREAS THAT ARE NOW CROPLANDS TO NATIVE PERENNIAL PLANTS AND TO ASSESS THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT CONSERVATION.