Nebraska wildlife and land conservation programs get USDA boost

LINCOLN — Two Nebraska efforts aimed at grassland and wildlife conservation through conservation assistance for farmers, ranchers and tribes will benefit from a financial boost recently announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The USDA on June 27 announced it would invest at least $500 million over the next five years to wildlife conservation through Working Lands for Wildlife, a model that balances the conservation needs of endangered species with the needs of landowners and their working lands.

Previously only available through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service conservation assistance programs, Working Lands for Wildlife can now be considered an option for any landowners who are interested in the USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program through the Farm Service Agency.

Nebraska has two Working Lands focus areas and initiatives, including one in the Sandhills and one in southeast Nebraska, that will receive some of the support prioritized for grasslands and bobwhite quail in the central and eastern United States.

Nebraska’s first Working Lands for Wildlife initiative targets the eastern Sandhills with the goal of managing the land for the benefit of grassland species, such as the greater prairie-chicken and American burying beetle.

To date, 90,138 acres have been positively affected through eastern red cedar removal, prescribed fire and grazing practices since the program started in 2017.

These management tools will continue to help the lands into the future and prevent invasive species encroachment.

“This initiative has empowered landowners in the eastern Sandhills to manage their land positively for both their operation and for wildlife,” said Jenny Prenosil, Nebraska Game and Parks agriculture program manager.

The southeast Nebraska initiative is a multi-state effort to boost bobwhite quail habitat, including native grasslands and oak savannahs, while keeping acres productive for landowners participating in the program.

Started in 2022, 1,386 acres have been enrolled on a variety of agricultural lands.