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Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)

The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program designed to provide technical and financial assistance to landowners for the establishment and improvement of fish and wildlife habitat.  Ranking criteria are used to select the applicants with a conservation plan that will create, enhance or protect wildlife habitat by types of wildlife habitat. 

WHIP activities are carried out according to a site specific wildlife conservation plan developed in conjunction with the producer. All wildlife practices are installed according to NRCS technical standards. Producers may elect to use an approved technical service provider for technical assistance.

WHIP offers contracts with a minimum term of 5 years and a maximum term of 10 years. Cost share for individual practices will vary, but they will not exceed 75 percent. Eligibility for WHIP is subject to the adjusted gross income provision of the 2002 Farm Bill.

The information on this page lists general WHIP information including ranking criteria, and provides a pre-application tool that will assist landowners to make choices about their conservation plans.

2008 Plan, Application, Contract Checklist and Ranking Documents

These documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe Acrobat DocumentState Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) Plan for Michigan
Adobe Acrobat DocumentFY 2008 Program Overview
Adobe Acrobat DocumentFY 2008 Payment Schedule
Adobe Acrobat DocumentFY 2008 Eligible Practices List
Adobe Acrobat DocumentWHIP 2008 Ranking Worksheet
Adobe Acrobat DocumentIneligible Species List
Adobe Acrobat DocumentWHIP 2002 Farm Bill Fact Sheet
Adobe Acrobat DocumentFish Passage Structure Eligibility Checklist
Adobe Acrobat DocumentFY 2008 Priority Habitats

Forms

These documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe Acrobat DocumentConservation Program Application NRCS-CPA-1200
Adobe Acrobat DocumentApéndice del Formulario NRCS-CPA-1200, Contrato del Programa de Incentivos de Calidad Ambiental

USDA Service Center eForms Web Site - for instructions and information.

Contact

To apply for WHIP, contact your local USDA Service Center. 
Michigan Field Office Directory

For general questions about WHIP contact the Michigan NRCS WHIP Coordinator.

WHIP Coordinator
 Brian Thomas
Phone:  517-324-5259
E-mail:  brian.thomas@mi.usda.gov

Last Modified 04/01/2008