FARMINGTON – Maine landowners, including non-agricultural and forestry landowners, who would like assistance in developing, improving, or managing wildlife habitat or restoring natural ecosystems, are encouraged to apply for the federal Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP). Through WHIP, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial assistance to landowners and others to develop upland, wetland, riparian, and aquatic habitat areas on their property. Applications which are received by Sept. 2, 2011 will be considered for funding in Fiscal Year 2012.
Funding through the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is available to assist Maine forest land owners with forest land planning and management under the New England-New York Forestry Initiative, improving wildlife habitat, forest health and productivity, and water quality.
Applications are being accepted for the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), which provides financial incentives to help farmers restore farmland, including pastures, which were once wetlands to create fully-functioning wetlands again. This is a great opportunity for many landowners who may have land that is poorly drained and difficult to cultivate, landowners who are looking to cut back on farming but don’t want to sell the land, or those landowners interested in establishing and protecting prime wildlife habitat. The deadline for Fiscal Year 2012 applications is Sept. 2, 2011.
Anyone who would like to sign-up for either of these programs should come into the NRCS office at the USDA Service Center – 107 Park Street in Farmington. For general questions you may call 778-4767 ext 105 (Paul) or ext 108 (Jade) or go to our website at www.me.nrcs.usda.gov
