FARMINGTON – Landowners, including non-agricultural and forestry landowners, who would like technical and financial assistance in developing, improving, or managing wildlife habitat or restoring natural ecosystems, are encouraged to apply for the federal Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
WHIP is a voluntary program that encourages establishment of high quality wildlife habitats that support wildlife populations of National, State, Tribal, and local significance. Through WHIP, the NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to landowners and others to develop upland, wetland, riparian, and aquatic habitat areas on their property.
Applications for WHIP are accepted at your local USDA Service Center on a continuous basis. Applicants must then complete a conservation plan with the assistance of NRCS conservationists. Applications which are received by Sept. 1, 2010 will be considered for funding in Fiscal Year 2011.
Producers should call or visit their local NRCS office located in the USDA Service Center, at 107 Park Street in Farmington to submit an application and complete the necessary paperwork to establish their eligibility. General program information is available on the Maine NRCS website at www.me.nrcs.usda.gov.
“NRCS is committed to providing conservation tools and resources to help Maine landowners ensure that their land remains healthy and productive,” said NRCS District Conservationist Paul Hersey. “The NRCS field staff in Franklin County is available to help landowners develop a conservation plan to address their wildlife resource needs. We encourage landowners to inquire about WHIP and our other conservation programs.”
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
