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The reauthorization of the 2007 Farm Bill will be the most important piece of conservation legislation this year. Farmland covers nearly 30 percent of Georgia. Another 45 percent is privately owned forest land. Any effort to ensure the future of Georgia's fish and wildlife must involve private landowners as partners. The Farm Bill authorizes some of our nation's largest and most successful voluntary conservation programs. Many landowners are ready and willing to improve their farming and forestry practices, to set aside part of their land for wildlife habitat, and to plant buffer strips to protect our rivers, creeks, lakes and ponds. Unfortunately, these popular programs are badly under-funded, and many landowners who would like to participate are being turned away due to lack of funds.
In June the National Wildlife Federation and the Georgia Wildlife Federation held a Farm Bill summit at the Alcovy Conservation Center to educate sportsmen, conservationists, and outdoor enthusiasts throughout the Southeast about the Farm Bill and the need for increased funding. Topics covered included Bobwhite Quail Conservation Initiative, forestry and the Farm Bill, and the hunting and fishing community agenda for the Farm Bill. Participants were given tips on working with the media, developing fact sheets and other materials, and generating letters in support of increased funding for important Farm Bill programs.
Following is a partial list of programs that offer incentives to private landowners to protect and improve natural resources on their property. Also listed is the managing agency.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (www.fsa.usda.gov)
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) provides incentives to landowners to establish long-term vegetative cover to improve the quality of water, control soil erosion, and enhance wildlife habitat on eligible farmland.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (www.nrcs.usda.gov)
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) provides funds for the creation, maintenance, and protection of significant, high quality wildlife habitats with a focus on habitats supporting rare or declining species.
Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) provides technical assistance and cost-sharing support for recommended management practices that benefit the environment, such as reduction of non-point source pollutants in watersheds, reduction in soil erosion and recovery of "at-risk" species.
Wildlife Incentives for Nongame and Game Species - Project WINGS provides cash grants and wildlife planning assistance over a three year period to groups or individuals interested in managing electrical or gas transmission rights-of-way for wildlife habitat. This program is also managed by the Two Rivers Resource Conservation and
Development Council.
Georgia Forestry Commission (www.gatrees.org)
Forest Lands Enhancement Program (FLEP) works in conjunction with the Forest Stewardship Program. FLEP provides landowners with funds to implement management activities identified in the landowners' management plan.
Georgia Forestry Commission & Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division
Forest Stewardship Program (FSP) provides technical assistance to landowners to develop a plan that takes into consideration timber values and growth, soil and water conservation, recreation, aesthetics, and wildlife conservation.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division (www.georgiawildlife.com)
Bobwhite Quail Initiative (BQI) gives landowners technical assistance and in some cases financial incentives for the establishment of early successional habitats and management of bobwhite quail on their property.
Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) provides landowners with incentives to protect and restore habitats on private lands that benefit "at risk" species.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division
(www.georgiaadoptastream.org)
Adopt-A-Stream (AAS) participants are trained in how to assess the quality of water through engaging
hands-on activities.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (partners.fws.gov)
Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) encourages landowners to restore and enhance ecosystems such as wetlands and to improve habitat for fish and wildlife.
Sportsman's Connection, July 2007
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