Funding Available for Wildlife Habitat Creation and Restoration

The Natural Resources Conservation Service currently has $350,000 available through the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP). Landowners interested in applying for funding should visit their local Natural Resources Conservation Service office before March 17, 2006.

WHIP is a voluntary program that encourages the creation and restoration of wildlife habitat. Through WHIP, the Natural Resources Conservation Service provides landowners technical and financial assistance to create or improve upland, wetland, riparian, and aquatic habitat areas on their property.

Program participants enter into a cost-share agreement for wildlife habitat development. Landowners may receive as much as 75 percent cost share to install wildlife habitat practices such as wetland renovations, riparian buffer strips or native prairie renovations.

Landowners may receive up to $20,000 per WHIP contract. This agreement generally lasts a minimum of five years from the date that the contract is signed.

There is no specific sign-up area. WHIP is available statewide. There are currently over 150,000 acres participating in WHIP across Nebraska.

For more information about WHIP visit your local USDA Service Center or visit www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov and click on “programs”.

March 13, 2006