Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Cost Share Programs

Wildlife and the Outdoors

Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Cost Share Programs

Joel D. Glover, Certified Wildlife Biologist

            The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) has partnered with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to form the nucleus of a new group of natural resource professionals to meet the needs of Alabama landowners. The Wildlife Enhancement Unit (WEU) consists of three WFF wildlife biologists who will work in conjunction with NRCS district conservationists statewide to deliver technical wildlife management assistance to private landowners through U.S. Department of Agriculture programs authorized under the Farm Bill. The primary program the WEU biologists will help to administer is the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP). This program provides up to 60 percent cost-share for selected practices to develop, enhance and maintain good wildlife habitat under 5-10 year contracts. Most cost shared improvements are targeted at benefiting imperiled wildlife species and habitats.

            Bobwhite quail and longleaf pine habitats are priority areas in Alabama. Major practices include eradication of fescue and Bermuda grass with subsequent conversion to native grasses, forbs and legumes, and restoration of longleaf pine habitat. Other approved management practices include prescribed burning, strip disking, liming, hedgerow development, pre-commercial thinning of woodlands and establishment of legumes and longleaf pine stands. 

            A landowner’s property is ranked according to a standard scoring sheet and the highest scoring properties are funded as money is available. The ranking system is designed to allow all landowners an opportunity to qualify. All private land is eligible, except for acreage that is currently enrolled in another USDA conservation program.

            Some landowners misunderstand about cost-share programs. WHIP cost share is set at 50 or 60 percent depending on the practice being carried out. That means that 50-60 percent of the cost incurred will be reimbursed to the landowner after completion of the practices (trees are planted, strips are disked etc.) has been verified. If the practice is not implemented, no cost-share funds are awarded.

            WEU biologists, like all WFF biologists, will be glad to view your property and make recommendations to help you achieve your objectives. Signing up for a cost share program in no way guarantees you will receive cost share assistance. However, not signing up will guarantee that you will not receive any monetary assistance! Although the ranking system is designed to fairly distribute the funding, the amount of funding is limited.

            In addition to WHIP, there are other USDA cost-share programs that can enhance and develop wildlife habitat. If you are interested in improving the wildlife habitat on your property, contact your NRCS District Conservationist at your local USDA Service Center or your local WFF wildlife biologist today. In north Alabama, contact Jim Schrenkel at 256-353-6146, Ext. 3, in Central Alabama contact Joel Glover at 256-329-3084, Ext. 3 and in south Alabama landowners may contact Kenneth Johnson at 334-335-3613, Ext. 3.