2008 Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program

Kipen J. Kolesinskas, Acting State Conservationist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Connecticut has announced that additional funding has led to another sign-up period for the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP).

According to Kolesinskas, “WHIP is a voluntary program intended to help landowners implement practices to maintain or establish wildlife habitat primarily on private lands.”

Eligible conservation practices are cost-shared in accordance with the 2008 WHIP payment schedule. Typically, contracts are five to ten years in length and in some cases 15 year contracts can be developed. At least one cost share practice must be started within the first 12 months after signing the contract and there is no maximum funding cap.

“Applications are funded on a competitive statewide basis,” said Kolesinskas, “and are dependent upon available funds.”

In Connecticut, the WHIP Program is concentrated on grasslands; riparian areas; state identified imperiled, old fields, streams and rivers, habitats; early successional wetlands (tidal and non-tidal); and shallow and deep water habitats.

Sign-up period ends close of business Friday, June 27, 2008.

Persons interested in applying should contact their local USDA Service Center.

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