Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program

The Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program for people who want to develop and improve wildlife habitat primarily on private land. Through WHIP USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service provides both technical assistance and up to 75 percent cost-share assistance to establish and improve fish and wildlife habitat. WHIP agreements between NRCS and the participant generally last from 5 to 10 years from the date the agreement is signed.

WHIP has proven to be a highly effective and widely accepted program across the country. By targeting wildlife habitat projects on all lands and aquatic areas, WHIP provides assistance to conservation minded landowners who are unable to meet the specific eligibility requirements of other USDA conservation programs.

The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 reauthorized WHIP as a voluntary approach to improving wildlife habitat in our Nation. Program administration of WHIP is provided under the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Applications are being accepted on a continuous basis; however, the cutoff for the 2nd round of funding is January 15, 2010. 

Sign-ups will be conducted at USDA Service Centers.  

Some of the following documents require Adobe Acrobat .

FY2009 WHIP Sign-Up Information

• 2010 WHIP Program Application (79 KB)
• 2008 WHIP Fact Sheet (69 KB) (HTML version)
• 2005 Connecticut WHIP Success Story (221 KB) (HTML version)

2004 WHIP General Program Description Documents

• 2004 Connecticut WHIP Ranking Criteria
• 2004 WHIP Ranking Notes

Connecticut's Statewide Plan

• Connecticut WHIP Statewide Plan (637 KB)

National WHIP Program Information

• Program Information

Contact

Joyce Purcell
Assistant State Conservationist - Programs
Phone: (860) 871-4028

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Last Modified: 01/06/2010