USDA Offers Financial Assistance for Wildlife Habitat

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Feb. 6, 2006 – U.S. Department of Agriculture programs can provide financial assistance to rural landowners for creating or improving wildlife habitat.
Funding is available through two programs administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The Wetlands Reserve Program is a voluntary program that offers landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. Another voluntary program is the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program for people who want to develop and improve wildlife habitat primarily on private land.
Through WHIP, the Natural Resources Conservation Service provides both technical assistance and up to 75 percent cost-share assistance to establish and improve fish and wildlife habitat. The WRP provides financial assistance to restore and enhance wetlands, up to 100 percent cost share, as well as long-term or permanent easement payments. To receive funding during 2006, applications for WHIP should be submitted by March 29, applications for WRP need to be submitted by March 15.
The first step in receiving assistance through either program is to contact your local NRCS field office. For more information on WHIP, WRP and other NRCS conservation programs, call your local NRCS field office or go to www.mi.nrcs.usda.gov.
 

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