Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) Cutoff Date set for March

"If a Kansas landowner is interested in protecting wildlife habitat, now is the time to get their application submitted for Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 funding cost-share assistance through the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) to help support their efforts," said Harold Klaege, state conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Salina.

"Although applications for WHIP are accepted on a continuous basis, the ranking cutoff date for applying is March 25, 2005. The WHIP applications submitted will be evaluated for FY 2005 funding," explained Klaege.

WHIP is designed to encourage landowners to develop and protect upland wildlife, wetland wildlife, threatened and endangered species, fish, and other types of wildlife habitat. The WHIP is a voluntary program for landowners who want to improve wildlife habitat primarily on private land.

According to Troy Munsch, soil conservationist with the NRCS, Salina, who oversees the program, the following priorities for WHIP in Kansas upon advice from the Kansas Technical Committee are:

• Grassland birds with emphasis on bobwhite quail, ring-necked pheasant, and prairie chicken (lesser and greater)
• Threatened and endangered species and species in need of conservation
• Natural communities to include prairies, wetlands, and riparian areas

How WHIP Works

Participants who own or control land agree to prepare and implement a wildlife habitat development plan. NRCS offers participants technical and financial assistance for the establishment of fish and wildlife habitat improvement practices. In addition, if the landowner agrees, cooperating state wildlife agencies and nonprofit or private organizations may provide expertise or additional funding to help complete the project.

What Land is Eligible

Eligible lands under the program are:

• Privately-owned land;
• Federal land when the primary benefit is on private or Tribal land; state and local government land on a limited basis; and
• Tribal land.

If the land is determined eligible. NRCS places emphasis on enrolling:

• habitat areas for wildlife species with declining or reduced populations;
• practices beneficial to fish and wildlife that may not be otherwise funded; and
• wildlife and fishery habitats identified by local and state partners and Indian Tribes in each state.

For more information about the WHIP, visit your local NRCS or county conservation district office. More information is available about WHIP and other NRCS programs on the Kansas Programs web page.