Funds available to improve wildlife habitat

Landowners interested in enhancing wildlife habitat on their agricultural land may apply for Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program funds from the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Applications must be in by May 31 for funding this fiscal year.

"The Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program helps landowners establish or improve wildlife habitat on their private property," said Jeff Burwell, Idaho NRCS state conservationist. "The program emphasizes restoring habitats that will directly benefit species that are threatened, endangered or of special concern."

Lands eligible for this program include private agricultural land, nonindustrial private forest land, and tribal lands. In Idaho, WHIP assistance is focused on restoring native vegetation on riparian, wetland, shrub/steppe and grassland habitats. Types of practices that improve wildlife habitat include:

• establishing shelter belts, windbreaks, or pollinator habitats;

• planting annual food plots;

• creating wildlife snags or providing nesting structures; and

• improving streams through rock and woody debris placement, removing fish barriers, or restoring native vegetation

Landowners can work with a conservationist at their local NRCS office to develop a plan with conservation practices that enhance fish and wildlife habitat.

For specific information on WHIP eligibility requirements, stop by your local USDA service center or visit Idaho NRCS online at http://www.id.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/whip/index.html.

Applications for the WHIP may be filed at any time and are batched and ranked periodically.