Starting next month, farmers and ranchers on the Big Island and Maui can do their part to be good stewards of the land under a new state and federal program designed to improve water quality and wildlife habitats.

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program was announced yesterday at the governor's office. It calls for farmers and ranchers to receive a small amount of cash for agreeing to remove cropland and marginal pastureland from production and convert it to native grasses, trees and other vegetation.

Lands enrolled in the program, which is backed by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, would remain in conservation for 20 years.

"We've been very interested in this program," said Jim Greenwell, president of Palani Ranch on the Kona side of the Big Island. "Most ranchers believe in a program like this. We recognize the value of preserving the ecosystem."

Officials say the program will reduce sediment and runoff into streams and the ocean because of vegetation and improve wildlife and plant habitats. After the initial offering on Maui and the Big Island, farmers and ranchers on Kaua'i, Moloka'i and O'ahu will be given a chance to offer up their marginal land to the program.

The USDA will pay 80 percent of the cost of the program to landowners and lessees who donate land. The state will pay the remaining 20 percent over the life of the 20 years, said Paul Conry, DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife administrator.

The land becomes a buffer and works to keep sediment from going into the ocean, helping to keep reefs free from pollution, Conry said. The best part of the program is using federal money to support state conservation, he said.

"This will create new jobs while protecting and enhancing the natural resources," Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona said.

Farmers and ranchers have five years to sign up at www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/crep.