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Additional Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program funds availableNebraska The Natural Resources Conservation Service in Nebraska has received an additional $450,000 in Wildlife Habitat Incentive Funds and is accepting applications for these funds through June 20, according to Steve Chick, NRCS State Conservationist. "While a new farm bill has passed, these funds are remaining from the 2002 farm bill. Landowners will know by early July whether or not their applications are funded. Any money Nebraska can't use will be shifted to other states or back to our national headquarters," said Chick. "We do not have enough applications on hand to meet this funding opportunity, so even though this is a busy time for farmers, making an application now to improve wildlife habitat on your land should be strongly considered," he added. WHIP funds are available to protect, restore, or enhance habitat for animals, birds or aquatic habitat species. Priorities for the program in Nebraska are: --Native prairie renovation and management such as removal of red cedars and prescribed burning; --Native grassland establishment and restoration often accomplished by converting smooth brome pastures to a more diverse mix of grasses and wildflowers; --Stream corridor and wetland improvement and restoration including control of aggressive species like phragmites and Russian olive; --Converting small cropland fields to wildlife habitat especially those fields not eligible for enrollment into the Conservation Reserve Program; --Native woodland habitat enhancement such as removing undesirable tree species and planting wildlife friendly trees and shrubs. In the last 10 years, more than 176,000 acres in Nebraska have been enhanced for wildlife through this program by the voluntary enrollment of nearly 550 contracts. Just like WHIP, other conservation programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Wetlands Reserve Program have a continuous sign-up process for producers. Landowners can get further details or apply for the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program at their local Natural Resources Conservation Service office in the USDA Service Center. 6/30/08 Date: 7/10/08
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