Appendix 7. State Private Lands Reports

Illinois Private Lands Report Midwest Private Lands Working Group Meeting

MAFWA Decorah, Iowa

2011

The goals of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife resources, Private Land Program are to protect, enhance and develop wildlife habitat on private land to improve wildlife populations, soil and water conservation, and the quality of life for all Illinois residents. Wildlife Personnel The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Office of Resource Conservation, Division of Wildlife Resources has 30 District Wildlife Biologists (DWB) statewide. In 1998, 18 public land biologists were merged with 17 private land biologists to create 35 DWBs with dual responsibilities. DWBs provide services to private landowners primarily under the framework of Illinois’ Acres for Wildlife Program. Five districts are presently vacant. Districts vary in size from 2 to 4 counties. The DWBs are supervised by Regional Wildlife Administrators. Currently two Regional positions are vacant. Acres for Wildlife The Acres for Wildlife Program (originally known as the Private Land Wildlife Habitat Management Program) began in 1986. In the first 2 quarters of FY11, district staff prepared 192 habitat restoration/improvement plans on private and public lands for forest (4,755 acres), savanna (334 acres), grassland (5,731 acres), shrubland (534 acres), and wetland (744.30 acres). Habitat and Pheasant Funds The Habitat Endowment Act, enacted in 1992, provides long-term funding for the State Pheasant Fund, State Furbearer Fund, and the Illinois Habitat Fund. The State Habitat Stamp replaced the Pheasant and Furbearer stamps, expanding opportunities for enhancement to all types of habitat. DWBs are allocated Private Lands Incentive dollars from the Habitat and Pheasant Funds to enhance wildlife habitat on private lands. DWBs use the funds to purchase seed, seedlings, herbicide, and water control structures for cooperating landowners. In 2009 DWBs provided funds to 273 landowners for wildlife habitat enhancement on 5,205 acres. The 2010 report is running late this year due to changes in personnel. Farm Bill Biologists Funds from the Pheasant and Habitat Funds and the State Wildlife Grant (SWG) allowed Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever to hire five Farm Bill Biologists (FBBs). These are the first FBBs to work in Illinois. Their primary purpose is to promote grassland habitat and provide technical support in the state’s SAFE areas.

In 2010, FBBs held 15 landowner workshops to promote the SAFE program and had 127 landowners attend. They helped landowners enroll 1,961 acres of grasslands into various conservation programs. The single greatest challenge faced by this program is that there is still no agreement with NRCS to house the Farm Bill Biologists in local USDA service centers. NRCS was without a contracting officer and PF’s primary liaison served on an extended out of state assignment. PF continues to work to resolve this challenge and right now have a contract being reviewed by NRCS legal for housing for 2 of the positions on a pilot basis but providing all 5 with access to the necessary data. Habitat Team IDNR, Office of Resource Conservation, Private Lands and Watersheds Division operates four Habitat Teams. Three of the teams were comprised of 2 temporary natural resource technicians. In 2010, the teams seeded 709.4 acres of native grasses and forbs; 225.4 acres of cool season grasses and legumes. Sprayed 2,592.5 acres for site preparation, weed and invasive plant control including: kudzu, sericea lespedeza, phragmites, autumn olive, garlic mustard, and bush honeysuckle; mowed 1,638.2 acres for weed control, fire break maintenance and seed bed preparation and conducted prescribed burns on 484.0 grassland acres. The Program assisted 136 private landowners and worked on 7 Pheasant Habitat Area’s during the 2010 calendar year. Other work included: bluebird, barn owl, wood duck and tree swallow nesting structures, earth movement for repair of washouts, tree cutting and checking feral hog traps and planting over 824 forbs and shrubs including 324 plants of the State endangered Royal Catchfly. The Habitat Team’s effort to establish additional grassland acres on and around Pheasant Habitat Area’s satisfy establishment of Bird Conservation Areas as part of the Farmland Campaign mandated by the State Wildlife Action Plan. . Illinois Prescribed Burning Act In the fall of 2007, the Illinois State Legislature passed 525 ILCS, the Illinois Prescribed Burning Act. The act states that periodic prescribed burning is essential to the perpetuation, restoration, and management of many plant and animal communities. It declares that prescribed burning is in the public interest. The act defines prescribed burning as a landowner right. The act also offers some liability protections if the proper steps are followed. The act instructed the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the State Fire Marshall to develop rules to define the requirements for burn manager certification and burn prescriptions. Administrative Rule 1563 to implement the act was approved in the fall of 2009. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is now processing applications for burn boss certification. The rule allows experienced burners the opportunity to be “grandfathered” into the new system if they apply within a year of the rule’s approval. Text for the act and rule can be found at the following links: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2904&ChapAct=525%26nbsp%3BILCS%26nbsp%3B37%2F&ChapterID=44&ChapterName=CONSERVATION&ActName=Illinois+Prescribed+Burning+Act. http://dnr.state.il.us/legal/adopted/1565.pdf

Farm Bill Farm Bill programs continue to be the key to large scale wildlife habitat restoration in Illinois. IDNR continues to pursue and capitalize on opportunities to work with USDA agencies. Many DWBs spend a significant amount of time providing technical assistance to landowners participating in USDA Farm Bill programs. Biologists also work closely with NGOs such as Pheasants Forever, Quail Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and Ducks Unlimited. The State Technical Committee functions as a forum for the exchange of information and identification of issues. IDNR, USFWS, PF, DU, and NWTF have asked NRCS if they would be interested in forming a State Wildlife Technical Committee that would work on wildlife issues. They have not responded back. CRP The Conservation Reserve Program is by far the greatest source of potential wildlife habitat in Illinois. Illinois has 1,033,224 acres of CRP, about the same as last year. In the north half of the state, enrollments are primarily buffer practices and southern Illinois has more whole field enrollments. IDNR has been working closely FSA and NRCS to encourage landowners to apply mid-contract management practices to existing CRP contracts. Most of Illinois’ CRP grasslands are in urgent need of disturbance. Below is a brief breakdown of select CRP practices installed in Illinois: Acres Acres CP1 New cool season

grass plantings 161,226 CP15 Contour grass strips 1,471

CP2 New warm season grass plantings

52,144 CP21 Filter strips 139,210

CP3A New hardwood tree plantings

50,007 CP22 Riparian buffers 111,011

CP4D Wildlife habitat 118,727 CP23 CP23A

Wetland restoration 51,517

CP8 Grass waterways 33,548 CP25 Rare and declining habitat

2,291

CP9 Shallow water for wildlife

5,548 CP31 Bottomland hardwood

3,218

CP10 Existing grass 209,217 CP33 Upland bird habitat buffers

54,590

CP11 Existing trees 17,210 CP38 SAFE 10,157 CP12 Wildlife food plots 6,408 SAFE Illinois has four SAFE proposals that have been approved by the Farm Service Agency. The proposal submitted by the IDNR Division of Wildlife Resources establishes 22 township-sized focus areas in the Grand Prairie Natural Division (28 counties in central and northern Illinois) for restoration of grasslands and wetlands in prairie landscapes for pheasants and other grassland wildlife (10,300 acres). In the Southern Till Plain Natural Division, 9 focus areas have been established (8 counties in south-central Illinois) for restoration of grassland habitat for greater

prairie chickens (10,300 acres). The locations of IDNR’s SAFE areas were based upon goals established by the state’s Wildlife Action Plan. So far, enrollment has been pretty low. A total of 5,823 acres have been enrolled in the Grand Prairie and only 639.44 acres in the Southern Till Plain. Three smaller projects (500 acres, 1,500 acres, 2,000 acres) submitted by Soil and Water Conservation Districts highlight habitat restoration for pheasants and bobwhite. Initially their enrollments were pretty low until they dropped the requirement that fields contain a percentage of grassland soils. Mercer County enrolled all of their first 500 acres, received an additional 300 acres. Western Illinois enrolled all their initial 1,500 acres, received 2,100 additional acres, and enrolled all those acres. Sangamon County was allotted 2, 000 acres and enrolled 1,330 in 2010. CREP CREP is reopened in late 2010 to new enrollments. In addition to the Illinois River drainage, lands in the Kaskaskia River drainage are eligible for enrollment. About 127,144 acres in the Illinois River drainage have been enrolled in the program. A total including the new enrollments is not yet available. EQIP This year, $11.3 million of EQIP cost-share funds was awarded to 900 applicants in Illinois. In 2010, there was strong interest in general conservation, grazing livestock, and confined livestock. WRP The new 7-year ownership still appears to be effecting WRP sign-up rates. In 2010 NRCS obligated about $8 million for 17 new WRP easements. WHIP Program changes in 2009 eliminated WHIP access for public owned land or communities. This resulted in fewer applications statewide. NRCS issued 17 contracts in 2010. Submitted by:

Michael Wefer Illinois Department of Natural Resources Ag and Grassland Wildlife Program Manager One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL 62702

Mike.Wefer@illinois.gov

Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife 2010 Private Lands Program Report

Mission

The mission of the IDNR, Division of Fish and Wildlife is to professionally manage Indiana’s fish and wildlife resources for present and future generations, balancing ecological, recreational, and economic benefits. Indiana’s Private Lands Program is the Division’s mechanism for applying this mission to the vast majority (96%) of Indiana’s landscape that is in private ownership. This is accomplished through 4 primary areas of responsibility: technical assistance, financial assistance, public information/education, and wildlife conflict resolution. Infrastructure Staff –In 2009, the Division had a number of professionals retire, and many of those positions were permanently deleted by the Department of Administration, including one private lands biologist. As a result, in August of 2010 our urban wildlife biologist was reassigned as a permanent private lands biologist; bring the number of private lands biologists back up to 15. Private lands biologists are responsible for districts containing from 5 to 9 counties, based on expected workload and potential opportunities. The Private Lands Program Manager oversees the development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of the Division’s Private Lands Program and serves as the Division’s liaison with other IDNR divisions, state and federal agencies, and private conservation organizations that directly impact natural resources management on private lands. The Private Lands Program Manager has also been temporarily assigned responsibility for supervising the wildlife research unit as well.

Organizational Chart of Private Lands Section Facilities – All private lands biologists are located at State property or Regional office complexes within their assigned districts. Equipment – All private lands biologists are provided with a 4-wheel drive vehicle, office space, desk, file cabinets, desk, telephone, cell phone, pager, mobile radio, binoculars, spotting scope, and laptops with Internet access.

Chief of Wildlife

Private Lands Program Manager

Private Lands North Supervisor

Private Lands South Supervisor

Public Lands Program Manager

7 Private Lands Biologist

8 Private Lands Biologists

Public Lands North Supervisor

Public Lands South Supervisor

Private Lands Programs GIS/GPS Initiative

In 2006, the Private Lands Unit began a GIS/GPS Initiative to bring our biologists up to speed with USDA partners. In 2006, all private lands biologists received GPS receivers and training on how to use them. Biologists began collecting waypoints for each parcel of private property where they developed a wildlife management plan or provided cost-share assistance. The data will be used to evaluate program participation, implementation, and future habitat priority areas. Waypoints are named according to a predefined protocol that captures program acronyms and program year so that program participation and program distribution can be tracked.

All private lands biologists have laptops instead of desktop computers, and each has an individual ArcGIS 9.3 license. This allows our biologists to work interactively with landowners while on-site as well as show various DVDs created to promote habitat programs and habitat management activities to the landowner. Each biologist is also equipped with a Garmin 205W Nuvi to assist them in locating landowner properties and conducting survey routes.

Classified Wildlife Habitat Program

Through legislation passed in 2006, the Classified Wildlife Habitat Act and the Classified Forest Act were merged into one program called the Classified Forest and Wildlands Program and is now administered by the Division of Forestry. The Private Lands Unit provides technical assistance to the Division of Forestry to prepare wildlife management plans for parcels of land wanting to enroll in the wildlands portion of the program.

Wildlife Habitat Cost-Share Program The Division of Fish and Wildlife allocates $50,000 from the Fish and Wildlife General Fund annually to implement the Wildlife Habitat Cost-Share Program. This program provides landowners up to 90% cost-share assistance, not to exceed $1,000, for wildlife habitat development on private lands. The program focuses on providing permanent wildlife habitat, although food plots may be cost-shared if they are part of a program to maintain early successional habitats in a rotational basis. Biologists develop a written agreement specifying the work to be completed and the amount that the Division will reimburse the landowner. Payment is made after the biologist has inspected the work for completion. In the past, we have reimbursed landowners based on the selected cost-share rate and eligible receipts. Beginning in July of 2007, we began using standardized rates for all practices.

Game Bird Habitat Development Program Each year the Division typically allocates $100,000 from the Game Bird Habitat Stamp Fund for the Game Bird Habitat Development Program. This program provides landowners up to $100 per acre for game bird habitat development projects. The program focuses on providing permanent game bird habitat, although food plots may be cost-shared if they are part of a program to maintain early successional habitats in a rotational basis. Biologists develop a written agreement specifying the work to be completed and the amount that the Division will reimburse the landowner. Payment is made after the biologist has inspected the work for completion. Due to budgetary constraints and the availability of WHIP funds, the Game Bird Habitat Development Program was not implemented this year.

National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative In 2004, the Private Lands Unit stepped down the habitat objectives specified in the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative to specific county level objectives. These county level objectives were then combined to develop district level objectives that were incorporated into each private lands biologist’s annual work plans. Each biologist has a specific CRP fescue conversion, CRP mid-contract management, non-CRP fescue conversion, and brood-cover/idle nesting cover habitat development objective for increasing bobwhite quail and pheasant populations. In order to have a greater impact on these populations, the Private Lands Unit decided to focus our efforts into priority areas. A total of 7 Pheasant Habitat Priority Areas were developed in northern Indiana and 8 Quail Habitat Priority Areas were developed in southern Indiana. Priority areas were selected based on Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) models for bobwhite quail prepared by Mississippi State University, areas of known quail/pheasant populations, interspersion of habitat types, and the potential for results. CRP enrollment incentives, CRP Mid-Contract Management incentives, and increased caps for use of Wildlife Habitat Cost-Share funds and Game Bird Habitat Development Funds were provided in the priority areas to encourage

landowner participation. Landowners in priority areas also receive additional points in the USDA WHIP ranking process.

2010-11 Habitat Priority Areas

CP33 Monitoring Beginning in 2006, the Division began CP33 monitoring according to the protocol established by Mississippi State University. A total of 41 pairs of CP33 buffers/control fields are monitored during June using the point count protocol for songbirds and quail. October covey call counts were discontinued this year. As of March, 2011 a total of 13,035 acres have been enrolled in CP33 in Indiana.

Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program The Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (not associated with USDA WHIP) is available to any landowner interested in developing wildlife habitat. The biologist meets with the landowner, discusses the landowner’s wildlife goals and objectives and prepares a wildlife management plan. This program often generates participation in the other programs listed above.

CP38 – State Acres For Wildlife Enhancement Currently all acres have been obligated at the state level (13,100 acres) and we have requested another 6,000 acres.

Partnerships Game Bird Partnership Program

Each year the Division allocates $30,000 from the Game Bird Habitat Stamp Fund for the Game Bird Partnership Program. This program provides Quail Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and The National Wild Turkey Federation up to $10,000 per organization per year for game bird habitat development projects on privately owned lands. Local chapters, in cooperation with Division biologists, develop agreements with landowners. The Game Bird Partnership Committee prioritizes all projects and notifies the chapters of selected projects. The Division reimburses 50% of the chapters’ costs, not to exceed $100 per acre, upon completion of the selected projects. This program creates approximately 1,100 acres of game bird habitat annually. Total cost of projects completed by landowners typically exceeds $165,000 annually.

Northeastern Wetland/Grassland Restoration Program (NWGRP) The NWGRP is a partnership between the Division, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Ducks Unlimited (DU), and Pheasants Forever (PF). It targets an eight-county area in northeastern Indiana for wetland and grassland restorations. The program pays up to 100 % of wetland restoration costs, not to exceed $1,000 per acre. Grassland restorations are cost-shared provided they are within 1/4 mile of a wetland capable of sustaining waterfowl brood habitat through July. Grasslands are restored at a 4:1 grassland/wetland ratio. Annual funding for the program combines $20,000 from USFWS and $20,000 from DU. Pheasants Forever contributes seed and labor for native grass establishment, and the Division provides participant screening, site review, survey and design work, and permit coordination.

Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiatives The Division has two Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiatives currently being implemented. The Woodland Regeneration Openings Initiative establishes woodland regeneration openings for early successional forest birds in the 8-county Central Hardwoods Region. The Central Hardwoods Joint Venture priority species: Ruffed grouse, Whip-poor-will, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, American Woodcock, Eastern Wood Pewee, Red-headed Woodpecker, Kentucky Warbler, and Cerulean Warbler are targeted. The Division is responsible for initial site visit, marking openings, final inspection, $300/acre incentive payment, and monitoring. Landowners allow sites to be utilized as demonstration site. We will be conducting point counts on all sites for the next 3 years. The Woody Edge Renovation (woodland edges and fencerows) initiative targets Northern Bobwhite and Ring-necked Pheasant in Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Quail and Pheasant Priority Areas statewide. The Division is responsible for initial site visit, marking sites, final inspection, $250/acre incentive payment, and monitoring. Landowners allow sites to be utilized as demonstration site. We will be conducting point counts on all sites for the next 3 years.

NRCS Contribution Agreements The Division of Fish and Wildlife has not had any contributions agreements in place with NRCS the last 3 years. NRCS Technical Assistance Funds were utilized for other purposes.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources 2011 Private Lands Progress Report to

The Midwest Private Land Wildlife Management Group

Mission Iowa’s Private Lands Program is designed to improve, restore, and create wildlife habitat and other natural resources on private lands. About 98% of Iowa’s landscape is privately owned. The Wildlife Bureau has three Sections; Research, Public Lands Management, and Private Lands Management. Staff provides technical assistance to landowners and USDA staff. Program funding comes from numerous funding sources including the fish and wildlife trust fund, Federal Aid, NRCS Contribution Agreement and many other grants, and local funding sources.

Organization The Wildlife Bureau’s Private Lands Program (PLP) consists of a Private Lands Program Coordinator, a Farm Bill Coordinator, 4 Private Lands Biologists (PLB) co-located in 4 of Iowa’s 5 NRCS Area Offices, 4 Wildlife Specialists, and 10 temporary/partner staff; including 5 Pheasants Forever (PF) Farm Bill Biologists(FBB) to assist the private lands biologists. These positions are funding through a variety of partnerships. The PLP Coordinator works primarily to provide support to Private Lands Program staff and District Supervisors. The PLP Coordinator also provides input on a statewide level to partners involved in activities that affect wildlife habitat on private lands. The FB Coordinator works to provide input on a national level to influence the development and implementation of conservation programs of the 2007 Farm Bill. PLB’ serve as DNR/NRCS Area Wildlife Biologists. The PLB’s provide wildlife training to NRCS staff and serve as a lead worker for individuals considered part of the Iowa DNR’s Private Lands Program. The PLB’s work with the NRCS AC’s and DC’s to negotiate the location of employees, working with partners to determining workload priorities, providing technical training, serving as a mentor, and advocate. The PLB’s also provide one-on-one technical assistance to landowners. PLB’s seek out funding opportunities to address resource issues within their assigned Area, provide comments on NRCS standards, and conduct experiments to further the benefits of private lands conservation and financial assistance programs. PL field staff work with landowners implementing wildlife practices serving as a liaison between the landowner and federal, state, and county programs, on private lands.

Funding

The PLB’s are funded through the Iowa Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund and Federal Aid. Iowa DNR has an MOA with NRCS to house the PLB’s. The NRCS contribution agreement provides funding for the five Wildlife Specialists as well as the 5 PF-FBB. The PLP has been able to establish partnerships with EPA’s 319 funding, Iowa DNR’s Lakes Restoration Funding, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), and other local entities to hire 2 Wildlife Specialists to focus on select watershed issues in a 1-2 county area. Through grant funding the PLP also maintained 5 AmeriCorps Habitat Specialists.

Reload Iowa (Pheasants Forever’s Capital Campaign) PF was able to expand from 4 FBB to 5 FBB in 2010. PF has and continues to work closely with the Iowa DNR throughout this process to integrate their efforts into the existing structure of the DNR’s PLP. It was agreed upon by both parties early in the process that regardless of the funding sources for the Farm Bill Biologists that the Farm Bill Biologists, although employees of and receiving specific guidance from PF would be a part of the DNR PLP. As with any new partnership development there have been some growing pains but both parties remain dedicated to making the partnership work and progress continues to be made.

Sustainable Funding

Last November 63% of Iowans voted in favor of establishing a constitutionally protected Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund. The fund would receive the first 3/8ths of a percent of a future sales tax increase.

Farm Bill Conservation Programs CRP – Iowa is holding her own with the general CRP signups 39 and 41. Signup 39 Iowa had 87,345 acres expiring and 128,245 acres accepted for a net gain of 40,900 acres. Signup 41 we had 37,000 acres expiring and offers

exceed this total, assuming acceptance rates similar to 39th signup we should also gain a few acres. We are hearing with high commodity prices some landowners accepted in the 39th signup are breaking these contracts. We continue to promote Continuous CRP at every opportunity:

CP23 – Iowa hit her enrollment cap 68,000 acres fall 2010, cap increased to 81,500 acres April 2010, requested more acres. CP23A – Iowa hit her enrollment cap 6,000 acres fall 2010, cap increased to 11,000 acres April 2010, requested more acres. CP33 – Iowa allocation 36,500 acres, 25,032 have been enrolled. CP38 – Iowa has 3 project areas totaling 39,650 acres. Our larger SAFE 31,650 acres is capped out. Our 2 smaller SAFE project areas are allocated 8,000 acres with 2,621 acres enrolled. MID-CONTRACT MANAGEMENT (MCM) A joint memo from FSA and NRCS was drafted and sent out to all FSA, USDA, and DNR staff to explain the burn plan policy as it relates to CRP MCM including that landowners can write their own burn plans. The policy has greatly helped with the burn plan requests of DNR staff. Most landowners have proved to be more comfortable writing their own burn plans that we original thought they would.

FY 2010 Private Lands Program Summary Total Contacts/Technical Assistance: 1,337 landowners (36% decrease from 2009) Total Acres of Habitat Improvement Recommendations: 59,909 acres (20% decrease from 2009 primarily due to developing a more efficient process for providing burn plans for CRP MCM) Total Acres of Habitat Improvements Implemented: 33,717 acres (23% decrease from 2009) Common Practices:

Wetland Acres Implemented (WRP, FWP, CP9, CP 23, CP23A, and CP 37wetlands): 6,427 acres (35% decrease from 2009 primarily due to hold on WRP program statewide)

SAFE (CP38) Implemented: 1,188 acres Quail Buffers (CP33) Implemented: 363 acres General CRP Signup 39 Implemented: 9,754 acres (8% of entire sign up) All other CRP Practices Implemented: 791 acres Burn Plans Implemented: 11,052 (60% decrease from 2009) Other Wildlife Habitat Improvements Implemented (annual disturbance, edge feathering, food plots,

interseeding, native plantings, trees/shrubs, TSI, woody invasion removal etc.): 4,127 acres

Competitive State Wildlife Grant (C-SWG) Iowa and Wisconsin partnered together to apply for a C-SWG grant to work primarily on private lands in the Driftless Area of NE Iowa and SW Wisconsin. Iowa received $187,000 to work on early successional forest habitat targeting ruffed grouse and American woodcock within 2 miles of public lands complexes that are working to implement a Forest Wildlife Management Plan. Projects have been approved on 41 sites covering 310 acres for $110,500 to fund aspen stand maintenance, tree planting, edge feathering, and timber stand improvement.

VPA-HIP - Iowa Management and Access Program (IMAP) Iowa received a $1.5 million VPA-HIP grant to develop a pilot program which would focus on developing and improving wildlife habitat in exchange for public hunting access. Iowa intends to have its first hunting access properties open for the 2011 hunting season with enrollment starting in June of 2011. The enrollment timeline is shorter than ideal but has been waiting for the administrative rule process to be completed.

Prairie Partners Program Iowa DNR, Iowa PF and the Iowa Native Seed Growers Association (INSGA) have an agreement that the INSGA will donate 5% of sales to DNR/PF seed trust fund. The trust fund is split 50:50 by DNR and PF. The funds are used to provide landowners an incentive to seed natives by providing a 1 to 1 cost-share program for the cost of the seed. Since the inception of the program the DNR has used their share to provide $305,000 and with the landowner match a total of $710,000 on seeding projects covering 5,400 acres of new or improved native seedings.

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Fisheries & Wildlife Division

Fall 2010

Private Lands Access Report & Farm Bill Update

Private Lands Access Report Walk‐InHuntingAccessProgram(WIHA)The WIHA program continues to be one of the most popular programs in the Department’s history. In the fall of 2010, approximately 1,019,036 acres were enrolled statewide at an average cost of $2.16/acre. For the 2011 spring turkey WIHA season we leased approximately 173,468 acres at an average cost of $1.75/acre. Land is generally leased for upland bird hunting opportunities and CRP makes up more than 50% of the acreage. This program has no additional charges to the user and is funded through the Wildlife Fee Fund and PR Grants. About 75% of the land enrolled in the program is in the western half of the state. With the exception of spring turkey, efforts to shift some of the acres to the east have proven difficult. WIHA activities are accomplished primarily by private land biologists utilizing temporary help and some assistance from other KDWP divisions.

Special Hunts on Private Lands In an attempt to increase public access to private lands in the eastern third of the state, a pilot program was implemented for the 2009 spring turkey season allowing limited public access to private lands. The eligibility of counties for the special hunts program were determined by the proximity of the county to urban areas and the historical lack of WIHA access within the counties. This program, while tedious from an administrative view, has continued to gain ground with landowners and hunters. KDWP private land biologists were able to sign up tracts in 16 counties for the fall 2010 season, offering a total of 128 hunts (78 youth only, 11 mentor, 38 open, and 1 disabled). These included 108 deer, 14 upland, 4 waterfowl, and 2 fall turkey hunts on more than 12,800 acres. Spring turkey special hunts for 2011 were available in 11 counties

with nearly 3,400 acres enrolled. A total of 72 spring hunts were made available to the public through online application and random draw (28 youth only, 7 mentor, and 37 open hunts). Current efforts with the Special Hunts on Private Lands program are centered on streamlining and automating the contracting, online application, random draw, and digital file permitting system. Fisheries Access Access to fishing opportunities is as fundamental to fishing participation as the want and the ability to fish. KDWP has two outstanding programs focused on removing barriers to fishing participation. These Sportfish Restoration funded programs are the Fishing Impoundments and Stream Habitats (FISH) program and Community Fisheries Assistance Program (CFAP). The focus of the FISH program is to increase public access to privately owned waters. FISH does this by leasing the fishing rights from landowners for small impoundments, stream stretches, and big river access areas. Now in its 14th year, this $150,000/year program has leased approximately 180 FISH sites that include approximately 1,500 acres of ponds, 90 stream miles, and 6 access sites to our large navigable rivers. This program is poised to greatly expand with the help of the USDA FSA Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Improvement Program and we expect some big things from it in the near future. The CFAP program strives to partner with cities, counties and public entities to enhance recreational fishing opportunities and aquatic resources. Prior to CFAP, many Kansas communities charged additional fees to fish at their waters. This added expense proved to be a barrier for angling participation. CFAP leases the fishing rights from these communities and removes the additional fees to fish; making it easier for anglers to access these waters and participate in fishing close to home. The partnership also provides the communities with priority for KDWP fish stocking, fisheries sampling and management, and grants which all help to further enhance these locations for anglers. Since program inception in 2005, CFAP has annually partnered with an average of 130 cooperators, removing additional fees, enhancing fishery quality, and increasing access on an average of 240 impoundments and 13,000 acres. From 2005-2010, CFAP leases totaled ~$3.6million. However, during that same time frame local communities documented O&M expenditures on the leased fisheries of~ $5.7million, which is more than the ~$4.8million more than the required SFR 25% match. CFAP Cooperators have turned the tide and have taken ownership and pride in their fisheries making this an exceptional program for KDWP, Kansas communities, and anglers alike. Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) Kansas was one of the initial 17 successful applicants for the VPA-HIP grant funds. The initial award was for $1.5 million for the first year with an additional $1.5 million approved recently for the second year of funding. The Environmental Assessment was completed and submit in April,

but we are still pending the FONSI and comment period before we receive the first and second year funds. The initial focus of program delivery for hunting access and terrestrial habitat improvement will be centered on increasing enrollment in CCRP buffer practices (CP33 & CP38) in the state. VPA funds will be used to provide landowners with an additional sign-up incentive payment (above and beyond the SIP offered through USDA) for cooperators willing to also allow public access on their property for the life of the continuous practice. Access payment rates will be based on the current sliding rate scale used for the WIHA program, however full payment (10-15 years of access) will be paid up front. Current access program acres will not be eligible for this new initiative. Initial response from landowners has been very positive when gauging potential interest in program enrollment. Regarding fisheries access, the first step will be to offer an enhanced payment to those current cooperators willing to expand their agreement to include access for paddle sports. Beyond this, efforts will focus on enrolling stream stretches for access in priority areas and access to additional bodies of water for fishing in the west.

FarmBillUpdate

CRPKansashad7,526acceptedofferson618,905acresingeneralsign‐up(#39).Thiswasa98%acceptancerate.Thenationalaverageforacceptedofferswas91.6%.Approximately160,000acreswerenewoffers.NoresultsyetforSign‐Up#41,butitappearsKansaswilllosesignificantacres.Kansaswillhaveapproximately2.7millionacresofCRPenrolleduntilendofFY2011.532,735acresexpirein2011,519,952acresin2012.TheriseincommoditypricescontinuestobeanincentiveforlandownerstoremoveacresfromCRP,althoughaseveredroughtinSouthwestKansasmayhavemanylandownersreconsideringfarmingthesefragilelands.

CP38ELEPCSAFEProposal30,000acreLesserPrairieChickenSAFEproposalwasapprovedin2010.EligibleareaswerehighlytargetedwithintheknownrangeoftheLPCinassociationwithareasofhighCRPexpirations.Currently13,661acresenrolled,activityisincreasing.

WHIPActivity2009‐2011Year KansasAllocation No.ofContracts Acres DollarsObligated2009 $750,000 116 20,005 $979,2002010 $317,179 105 12,203 $764,0052011 $317,179 52 8,187 $550,219

EQIPThe2010programyearisthefirstyearwildlifewasraisedtoaprimaryresourceconcernandaseparatefundingcategoryestablished.3%ofEQIPfundswerededicatedtowildlife.10applicationsapprovedfor$228,226.In2011forgoneincomewasallowedtobepaidforprescribedgrazingandprescribedburninginbothWHIPandEQIP,eligiblepracticesarenowvirtuallythesameinbothprograms.

LEPCInitiativeKansasallocated$250,000inEQIPand$500,000inWHIPforLEPCinitiativein2010.64contractsapproved,$1,525.7902011allocation$500,000inEQIP,$1,500,000inWHIP.1stsign‐upperiodresultedin11WHIPcontracts,$260,776obligatedon3,817acres.5EQIPcontracts,$151,796obligatedon2,343acres.Secondsign‐upperiodendsApril29th.

2011 MWPLWG Program Report

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Infrastructure of Private Lands program This past year has seen several new faces at the field level. Eleven biologists and 1 technician currently fill the NRCS cost-shared positions supervised by 3 Farm Bill liaisons, currently 4 biologist vacancies exist. KDFWR now has 16 private lands biologists (PLBs) supervised by our 5 regional coordinators, 1 private lands biologist position is currently vacant. We have had a number of Farm Bill biologists move into our more coveted Private Lands Biologist positions (merit protected affording superior job security) over the last several years. These changes have helped demonstrate the role and value of an experienced Farm Bill biologist in our more generalized private lands positions. Program and Project Updates Kentucky Prescribed Fire Council – The 2nd Annual Meeting proved to be a monumental one. Attendance was strong at roughly 80 participants. The organization adopted basic standards for training that would be critical for creation of prescribed burning regulations. The Council is still toiling on whether to become a 501.c3 organization as well. The next couple of years will be aimed at be writing and advocating for prescribed burning legislation.

CREP – The 101,500-acre project is certain to the Commonwealth’s greatest conservation success story for habitat. Last spring and summer marked the first year of bird density sampling to measure the impact of the CREP for grassland birds. The aim of the project is to measure how varying levels of landscape level habitat restoration influence local bird density. A low landscape influence has less 1.5% grassland restorations at the landscape scale (defined as the area within 3000 m of the sample point). Two moderate categories included 5-10% and 11-15% restoration. Finally, a high category is defined as greater than 16% restoration. A control was included which has less than 1.5% restoration at the local and landscape scale. Our next big challenge is to find funding for a graduate student to conduct land cover mapping and data analysis. We are hoping to land some CEAP money for this project. Mid-contract management is next big chore with respect to the restoration. The absence of management could minimize the restorations impact and/or duration.

QU Habitat Team - The KY Quail Unlimited Habitat Improvement Team (HIT) continues to help landowners get high quality habitat on the ground. The team has been reduced to one full time member, but does have a stable of part-time employees that keep the effort moving forward. The turbulence surrounding QU stagnated progress and minimized accomplishments in the last 6

months. Efforts are underway to reinvigorate the team thanks to the partnership of KDFWR, KY Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, and QU. The team’s primary source of revenue is prescribed burning of CRP, but they have made revenue through a number of other activities like herbicide application, strip disking, ephemeral pool creation, cedar removal, and NWSG plantings. Working in closely with KDFWR, over 2,000 acres were burned since January. WHIP – KDFWR biologists continue to do the lion share of work with WHIP in KY. This year we have about $1.3 million in WHIP applications. To date we have received approximately $200,000 in funding. We are currently working with our State NRCS to request an additional $900,000 in funding. Forest stand improvement continues to be a popular practice in the state. However, the process and paperwork are hampering morale of our private lands staff, particularly private lands biologists that were not as engaged in Farm Bill activity. From a Farm Bill biologist perspective, WHIP has taken large amounts of time that minimizes their impact in programs like CRP and EQIP. Ideally, a block grant to the Department would be a wonderful means of minimizing red tape and focusing efforts on implementation. EQIP - We’ve been quite pleased with the progress made in EQIP the last couple of years. A $1M dollar each Grassland and Forestland initiative have been established as well as a $1M energy initiative. This year we added an additional county to the Grassland initiative in an area where significant grassland work has already been completed. So far this year we have obligated $581,000 in the Grassland Initiative and while they are still finishing the numbers on the forestland initiative, it appears that close to $1M will be obligated. The grassland initiative coincided perfectly with our bobwhite restoration efforts. We are working closely with NRCS state office personnel to continue to promote prescribed grazing and native warm season grasses as forage. WRP – Our WRP cup runneth over!! We have more dollars available than we can likely spend or deliver. Several efforts are underway to boost interest in enrollment. The most effective have been direct mailings. CPA’s – Through the State Technical Committee partners, we were able to create our first statewide CPA that was exactly as designed by the conservation community. The result should provide outstanding opportunities for CRP in Kentucky. We are hopeful for large and regular sign-ups! Northern Bobwhite Restoration – The second year of KY’s bobwhite restoration yielded it’s first big success story. The Shaker Village project area in Central Kentucky made an incredible turnaround in bobwhite numbers. In 2 growing seasons, an estimated 6-10 coveys expanded to 35-40 coveys!! Roughly, 1,000 of the properties 3,000 acres were restored, and brother bob responded! Additionally, we collaborated with QU, QF, KY Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and Shaker Village on a fund raising hunt to help fund future habitat management. The drawing and sponsorship by Roundstone Native Seed generated a check of $15,000. The winner and his guest endured a monsoon on the first afternoon, but the next morning made it worthwhile. They moved 10 coveys in a half day hunt and both shot their limit. KY Afield TV got some great footage of the event.

The Department invested another roughly $1 million towards bobwhite efforts this year. Money was spent on our highest priority private lands focus area to accelerate management. Our large public lands project on Peabody WMA continues to move forward with management accompanied by University of Tennessee research. Private Lands Program Database - After years of begging, we finally garnered enough support to build a new tracking system for private lands. Actually, the system will track projects on both public and private lands. The tools is designed to benefit staff from the field to Frankfort. It maximize efficiency, serve as a personnel management, dramatically simplify reporting, and generate spatially explicit project areas. We believe this will catapult our Division into the 21st century and only 10 years behind instead of 20!!! Habitat Improvement Program (HIP) - We are in the 24th year of the Habitat Improvement Program. The program is our primary state funded program for private landowners across Kentucky. Any landowner can receive technical assistance, a management plan, and equipment loan. From May 1, 2010 to April 30, 2011 we have provided technical guidance to 379 landowners with 111,601 acres. Additionally, we cost shared a wide variety of practices, helping to improve numerous acres for wildlife across the state (Table 1). The program provides these funds at a rate of 75% with a $1000 limit per landowner per year. In many instances, we deliver cost-share in the form of equipment use, seed, and herbicide for landowners. Therefore, bulk prices for those products extend limited financial resources and maximizes habitat on the ground. The cost share money for next years' budget is $159,000. Over the life of the program, we have provided technical guidance to more than 12,000 landowners owning over 2.2 million acres across Kentucky.

Recommendation Acres/Units Reimbursed Practices Cavities & Snags 37 Cool Season Grasses 36 ac Fencing 3,280 ft Fescue Eradication 75 ac Forest Openings 2 ac Legumes 103 ac Mowing (ie., strip mowing of NWSG) 1,646 ac Native Warm Season Grasses 477 ac Pig Traps 2 Shallow Water Wetlands 3 Streamside Restoration 150 ft Strip Disking 6 ac Trees & Shrubs 16 ac Wildlife Water Holes 17 units

Michigan Private Lands Program Annual Report – April 29, 2011

Michigan’s Private Lands Program is a diverse program focused on several high priorities including game and non-game species. In 2010, biologist provided technical assistance to 221 landowners

covering 22,509 acres and funded 64 projects for the development or improvement of 3,844 acres of habitat. To meet these objectives all Wildlife Division biologists spent approximately 10% of their time on private lands activities. More explicit information on the private lands program is explained below. Michigan’s Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) focuses on wetlands and grasslands in the southern Lower Peninsula, barrens and jack pine in the northern Lower Peninsula and mesic conifers in the Upper Peninsula. The program's goal is to increase habitat for species at-risk on private lands. We have a program coordinator and 25 field biologists responsible for implementing habitat projects. From 2004 through FY2010, we provided technical assistance to over 633 landowners covering 71,996 acres and provided financial assistance for 536 projects impacting 22,754 acres. The graph below shows program dollars and cumulative financial assistance acres impacted as reported to date.

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Michigan’s Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) focuses on providing important habitat to grassland birds on working grasslands, such as haylands and pastures. These lands provide habitat for a variety of wildlife species, including rare and declining grassland birds, turkey, pheasants, and sharp-tailed grouse. This program explores new incentives for hayland and grazing farmers to change their practice to help grassland birds. These new approaches should help increase farmer participation in programs such as Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) to increase habitat and management opportunities for grassland birds. Last fall regional focus groups were

developed to identify focus areas for project implementation as well as targeted approaches to get conservation on the ground. Implementation of practices will begin this spring, and include planting native grasses for forage, altering mowing practices, controlled burning, as well as other techniques. Last year we provided technical assistance to over 35 landowners covering 5,090 acres and provided financial assistance for 15 projects impacting 1,114 acres.

Last year we received a USFWS Competitive State Wildlife Grant (cSWG) targeted to restore and enhance 200 acres of prairie fens and associated savannas to benefit the federally endangered Mitchell’s satyr butterfly (Neonympha mitchellii mitchellii), and to restore 400 acres of prairie fen and associated savannas for the federal candidate eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus cantenatus). Through this program we were able to help 18 landowners on 1,983 acres and funded 16 on-site projects impacting 673 acres of high quality habitat. The Wildlife Management Institute Woodcock – Early Successional Forest Initiative will promote management of early successional forests on private lands to benefit woodcock, ruffed grouse, and deer. These funds are distributed to the Upper Peninsula, Northern Lower Peninsula and the Saginaw Bay area. Last year biologists worked with 16 landowners to maintain or increase early successional habitat through on-site technical assistance and we were able to fund 8 projects on 962 acres. Turkey funds are being used to implement specific habitat projects for turkeys through providing technical assistance to landowners. Deer Range Improvement Program (DRIP) funds are being used in the Western Upper Peninsula and the Northwest Lower Peninsula to provide technical assistance to landowners interested in managing their land for deer. Through these funding sources we provided technical assistance on 6,265 acres and funded 38 projects on 500 acres. Since 1997, the private lands program has been responsible for the coordination and distribution of 31 native grass drills through a cooperative working relationship with county conservation districts. In 2010, these drills planted 3,313 acres of habitat, mostly native grasses, on 265 sites and over 13 years over 50,000 acres of high quality habitat have been planted.

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Work continues on the Michigan genotype native warm season grass fields at Rose Lake. These seed production fields are for the purpose of producing Michigan genotype switch grass, Indian grass, big bluestem, and little bluestem seed. Each site is approximately 1-3 acres in size. Last year, we were able to collect approximately 508 lbs. of switch grass, 475 lbs. of little bluestem, 103 lbs. of big bluestem, and 242 lbs. of Indian grass for a grand total of 1,328 pounds of seed. For the 2009/10 hunting season the Hunters Access Program leased approximately 7,800 acres for public hunting use on 50 properties. Michigan was fortunate to receive a federal USDA, Volunteer Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) grant to help expand this program. This grant will be used to double the number acres and number of farms over the next two years. As part of grant implementation a full time Hunting Access Program Coordinator has been hired. Other projects include providing input and support for the implementation of the federal Farm Bill Program such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP), Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and Wetland Reserve Program (WRP). Private lands staff promotes wildlife benefits and opportunities through the Michigan Technical Committee as well as all program sub-committees.

Minnesota Annual Report Midwest Private Lands Working Group

May 1-4

Dubuque, Iowa

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Section of Wildlife staff were again very busy in 2010 assisting private landowners with the development and improvement of wildlife habitat on their lands. Thousands of landowner contacts were made at various venues including fairs, farm shows, workshops, phone calls, and hundreds of projects were accomplished on private lands. Cost sharing and technical assistance were made available to private landowners from the DNR Section of Wildlife for establishing, maintaining, and enhancing wildlife habitat for nesting cover, brushland management and wetland restoration. It was common to partner with other state and federal agencies to accomplish these efforts. In addition to cost sharing with private landowners, 3 other programs are an important part of our private lands efforts for wildlife: Farm Bill Assistance Program, Roadsides for Wildlife, and research directed at farmland wildlife issues. PHEASANT HABITAT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (PHIP) The PHIP provides cost sharing for management practices that improve pheasant habitat by establishing food plots, nesting cover, and restoring wetlands. PHIP is funded through Minnesota Pheasant Habitat Stamp fees. In 2010 $669,000 was spent out of the PHIP account, $152,000 (23%) was spent on private lands. We are in the process of changing our food plot program on both public and private lands and this has affected the amount of money spent from the PHIP account. FARMLAND WILDLIFE RESEARCH We are starting the third year of a study evaluating methods for establishing and maintaining an abundance and diversity of forbs in established grasslands. Mowing and grass herbicide treatments were both effective at suppressing growth of established grasses, which in turn may reduce competition with forb seedlings for light, moisture, and nutrients. The coming field season will focus on estimating forb establishment rates among the various treatments and controls. In addition, we have completed fieldwork and data summary for a 5-year study to determine the value of farm programs for providing winter cover and food for pheasants. Finally, we have submitted a manuscript to the Journal of Wildlife Management describing a study in which we estimated probability of detection in pheasant crowing surveys.

FEDERAL FARM BILL IMPLEMENTATION & PROMOTION The Federal Farm Program is the most important private lands program in Minnesota. This program influences the management by farmers and landowners on over 20 million acres of agricultural land in Minnesota. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is presently providing approximately 1.6 million acres of perennial cover in Minnesota, including approximately 100,000 acres of permanent Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP I) easements in the Minnesota River Valley. MN had a net loss of only 600 acres in 2010; however, the projected loss for 2011 is 130,000 with nearly 300,000 acres to follow in 2012. At this time it is unknown what the affect of Sign-up 41 will be in MN. The Wetland Reserve Program/Reinvest In Minnesota (RIM) Reserve partnerships have enrolled over 70,000 easement acres with approximately a 4:1 ratio of upland acres to wetland acres. In 2010 $7.6 million was matched with $13.7 million in Federal funding. 7,500 acres were enrolled. Currently we have just completed a RIM-WRP sign-up that focused on floodplain and flood damaged cropland in the 29 county disaster area in southern Minnesota (federal disaster declaration FEMA -1941-DR). At this point we have tentatively approved 78 applications on 5,000 acres. The Farm Bill Assistance Partnership is a cooperative effort between the DNR, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, Pheasants Forever, and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Currently there are 22 FTEs working in 35 counties working to market the conservation programs offered through the Federal Farm Bill. CP-38 Minnesota’s has had 2 CP-38 allocations, the first was finished in mid-2010 and the second is nearly finished. We have a request in for a 3rd allocation. This has been one of our most popular CCRP programs to date. Go to http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/mn_cp38e_factfheet_20080403.pdf for a fact sheet on the Minnesota SAFE. PILOT WALK IN PROGRAM In October 2010 MN was awarded $2.7 million in VPA funds. We are in the process of implementing a 3-year pilot program and are very near rolling it out. The Goal is to have 10,000 acres enrolled by September of 2011. See below for a fact sheet on the program. PRIVATE LAND SPECIALIST POSITIONS The Private Lands Program in the Section of Wildlife functions as the point of first contact for many private landowners seeking advice to protect, restore and enhance wildlife habitat on their land. Three Private Land Specialists provide technical assistance to landowners regarding habitat improvement requests, USDA conservation program sign-ups, on-site visits to assess habitat, prepare wildlife habitat management and stewardship plans, and make referrals to other appropriate natural resources agencies. These Specialists also develop workshops and other

information sharing opportunities to larger groups related to conservation programs, prescribed burning, and general technical assistance. Most cost-sharing options are in collaboration with other DNR divisions, USDA programs, FWS Partners for Fish & Wildlife programs, and NGOs. In FY 2010, Specialists leveraged over $912,000 in state and federal funds, directly improved over 2,260 acres of wildlife habitat, had over 1,500 private landowner contacts, and held 12 landowner workshops.

Bill Penning, Farmland Wildlife Program Leader 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, Minnesota 55155 Internet: bill.penning@dnr.state.mn.us

Telephone: (651) 259-5230

Minnesota Walk In Access Program Aka: Open Fields

Aka: VPA-HIP

Voluntary Public Access Program � Is a component of the 2008 Farm Bill. � MN proposal based upon Work Group recommendations, Walk In Report, and three year time

line. � Depends upon Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) and Farm Bill Assistance

Partnership (FBA) for success! Objectives, Methods, Funding and Performance � The primary objective of this proposal is to provide new hunting opportunities on private lands

currently enrolled in conservation programs on 50,000 acres of quality wildlife habitat in southwestern Minnesota over three years.

� Enrollment targets: Year 1 = 10,000 acres Year 2 = 25,000 cumulative acres Year 3 = 50,000 cumulative acres All of this will be target to a roughly 21 county area in southwest Minnesota. � Landowners will be encouraged to participate in the public access program by offering additional

payments for public access to quality wildlife habitat. � Ensure lands enrolled for public access have appropriate wildlife habitat by enrolling lands in an

existing conservation program such as the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM), and the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP).

� Publicize location of lands enrolled in the program through printed maps, MN/DNR website, press releases, broadcast interviews, and feature articles in the MN Volunteer magazine and other appropriate methods.

� Project Managers will be hired for the length of the grant. Local Soil and Water Conservation Districts that are participating in the FBA Program will be used to locally market and assist landowners with enrollments. GIS work will be done by DNR GIS experts for map preparation. The Conservation Corps Minnesota (CCM) will be contacted to install signs identifying each enrolled parcel.

� Minimum size is 40 acres, with a bonus for more than 160 acres. � Bonus if land is within ½ mile of other public hunting land (Wildlife Management Area (WMA),

Waterfowl Production Area (WPA), etc). � Bonus if signed up for a multi-year contract. � Locations are posted with Walk In signs. � Locations are published in an annual book and on the DNR web site as download maps and GPS

points. � Hunters can go hunt during any open hunting season (including spring turkey). No landowner

contacts necessary. � Detailed Landowner agreement specifies dos and don’ts. � 30-day opt out for landowners in case they have a negative experience. � DNR Conservation Officers will handle trespass and hunting violations. How it Works � Entirely voluntary for landowners. � Landowners are protected from liability, unlike private leases. � Landowners are offered an incentive payment for allowing public access for hunting on their

previously enrolled (CRP, etc.) land.

� Payment structure is a base rate + bonus/acre. Example: For a 160 acre enrollment: $10/acre + $1/acres (within ½ mile) + $1/acre (size > 160 acres) + $1/acre for multi year contract:

160 * $13 = $2,080/year payment.

Contact: Bill Penning DNR Section of Wildlife

Bill.penning@state.mn.us (651) 259-5230

MIDWEST PRIVATE LAND GROUP 2011 ANNUAL MEETING

Decorah, Iowa

MISSOURI REPORT PRIVATE LAND SERVICES DIVISION

Mission: Help landowners meet their land management objectives in ways that enhance fish, forest and wildlife conservation. In late 1999, the Missouri Department of Conservation (Department) created a Private Land Services Division to deliver services to private landowners who own and manage 93% of the land in Missouri. Private Land Services Division staff, as much as practical, were collocated with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), mostly in Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offices, to provide the best service to landowners and raise awareness of fish/forest/wildlife needs among agency partners. Like most other agencies, we’ve had to tighten our belt and have reduced overall agency staffing by roughly 10%, but were able to maintain our Private Land Conservationist staffing levels. The following paragraphs provide a summary of fiscal year 2011 efforts. Farm Bill Opportunities

MDC has a staff of approximately 59 that assist in the promotion, implementation and training needs associated with the Farm Bill Conservation programs. The majority of these positions are located within NRCS State, Area, and County offices. There are 4 Area Biologists that provide training and support to NRCS field personnel. There is 1 Program Biologist and 1 Program Supervisor that work directly with USDA State Office staff and provide input into farm bill programs, policies and standards. There are 49 Private Lands Conservationists who provide technical assistance directly to private landowners and assist with the promotion of conservation programs. Last, but not least, there are 4 Wetland Biologists that assist with the design and implementation of WRP and CRP wetland practices. A summary of the status of the USDA Farm Bill Conservation Programs in Missouri is as follows: CRP: In 2011, Missouri has experienced a net loss of approximately 24,738 CRP acres.

• General CRP Signup #39: With approximately 63,079 acres expiring, MO enrolled 107,078 acres with an acceptance rate of 98%. The majority of the offers were re-enrollments. There were approximately 2,288 acres of pollinator habitat in addition to the 36,278 acres of wildlife friendly grassland practices (CP25, CP4D, CP2).

• General CRP Signup #41: Although only estimates are available at this time, approximately 130,000 acres were offered during this signup. This estimate includes approximately 1000 acres of the new CP42 practice.

• Two out of the 3 Missouri CP38 – State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) practices have essentially run out of acres. To date, there are 14,501 enrolled acres of the Bobwhite Quail Restoration practice. This practice has many of the same specifications as CP33, however whole-field enrollments are allowed and popular. There are 3,152 acres of the Sand Grassland practice enrolled. The third SAFE practice directed towards the creation of prairie chicken habitat has experienced the least amount of interest. Requests have been submitted to national headquarters for additional SAFE acres and to allow the transfer of existing acres into the Quail Restoration practice.

WRP: There are currently 927 WRP and EWRP easements covering 134,186 acres in Missouri.

• In 2010, MO was allocated $25 million for the WRP. An all-time Missouri record of 8,643.5 acres were enrolled.

• Although landowner interest was still very high in 2011, this year’s funding allocation of $6.6 million limited the acreage offer to 2,781.5.

• This year, Missouri was awarded 1 of the 5 approved Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP) applications. The purpose of this project is to provide restoration, such as levee degrading to allow natural flooding, micro/macro topography restoration, and native herbaceous paintings on older existing WRP easements.

Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative (MBHI): Missouri was the northern most state involved in the MBHI. The MBHI was in response to the recent Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico with the objective to provide habitat and foraging refuge for migrating waterbirds headed towards oil impacted habitat.

• Through MBHI-WRP, NRCS provided $1.27 million to assist landowners with implementing early successional management practices such as disking and burning, and for fall and spring flooding of existing WRP easements. Fifteen WRP easements were accepted into the program.

• The EQIP and WHIP portions of MBHI, which included flooding of crop fields, had much greater enrollment. In the fall of 2010, 78,848 acres of crop fields were flooded for $3,779,308.

Conservation Stewardship Program: There were 1909 contracts for $21,890,534 enrolled in 2010.

• Some of the more popular wildlife enhancements in Missouri are ‘Harvest hay in a manner that allows wildlife to flush and escape’, ‘Retrofit watering facility for wildlife escape’, ‘Forest wildlife Structures’ and ‘Establishing pollinator habitat’.

• Although there are a small number of wildlife enhancements that have the potential to have positive impacts, however we still struggle with the ‘one-size fits all’ national enhancements.

• In the 2011 CSP signup, there are currently approximately 1009 applications estimated at $7.9 million.

EQIP: Historically, wildlife practices through EQIP have done well in Missouri. However, due to the increase in the number of initiatives funded through EQIP and the implementation of land-use funding pools, the emphasis on promoting and contracting wildlife practices through EQIP has lessened over the past 2 years.

• In 2010, Missouri funded approximately $25,931,056 worth of EQIP contracts. Approximately 20% of the funding went towards wildlife and forestry practices.

• In 2011, Missouri funded approximately $16,290,189 worth of EQIP contracts. The proportion of funding that went towards wildlife and forestry practices decreased to 16%.

WHIP: The WHIP funding in Missouri decreased drastically in 2011. One of the reasons for this decrease is the relatively large number of outstanding WHIP contracts.

• In 2010, Missouri funded approximately $2,509,548 worth of WHIP contracts on 40,298 acres.

• In 2011, Missouri only funded approximately $284,009 worth of WHIP contracts on 2,196 acres. Only 20% of the WHIP applications were funded.

Cost-share to Fill Gaps Left by Federal Programs

• Approximately 328 individual landowners received $520,000 to implement over 549

conservation practices which improved over 9,000 acres of fish, forest, and wildlife

habitat in FY10 through the Conservation Department’s Landowner Assistance Program. These funds are used in concert with a statewide docket of cost-share practices and rates. Bobwhite quail and prairie chicken focus areas are targeted with 90% cost-share rate.

• Several funding partnerships that leverage available Department funding were continued and enhanced. The Missouri Bobwhite Quail Challenge Grant is a program that partners Department funding with local NGO chapters to implement habitat improvements for quail in the participating chapter’s local geography. This is a 1:1 match where the Department matches funding that is pledged by local NGO chapters. The amount spent has increased annually and has resulted in over $1.1 Million in habitat improvements for Bobwhite Quail since the program started in 2000.

• Staff from the Private Land Services Division provided technical assistance to 23,228 landowners to develop conservation plans, make wildlife habitat recommendations, and assist with delivery of state and federal conservation program opportunities.

Non-Governmental and Other Partners

• A targeted cost-share program with DU that allows for over-building of CP23 structures

to allow temporary flooding of cropfields in fall and winter is commonly referred to as the Missouri Agricultural Wetland Initiative.

• The Department is partnering with University of Missouri (MU) research farms to research and demonstrate how quail restoration and agriculture can work together. Research plots comparing crop yields with CP33, root plowing, and no treatments are being shown to more than 5000 visitors annually on an MU farm in central Missouri. We are funding a study to determine which native grass mixes are most suitable for waterway plantings. Another study will determine if pollinators show a preference over wildflower mixes that originated from seed grown in Missouri to seed mixes from distant states such as California, Texas or North Dakota. Finally, we are working with them to compare a highly diverse mix of native forbs and grasses to a grass monoculture for biofuels production, with production plantings on CRP or Department lands.

Wildlife Damage Management Six wildlife damage biologists (3 in rural; 3 in urban areas) provided counsel and training to individuals that were experiencing negative interactions with wildlife. Wildlife damage staff had approximately 5300 requests for assistance last year from citizens, resulting in 1,000 on-site visits related to the control of nuisance wildlife. This includes responding to complaints from a relatively new and growing black bear population and addressing public concerns surrounding the presence of mountain lions, whether real or perceived. The Missouri Department of Conservation continues to address the problem of a growing feral hog population in the state. Feral hogs are a serious concern for Missouri’s natural resources and agricultural interests. With the backing of a Governor’s feral hog task force consisting of state, federal and private organizations we have stepped up our efforts to cooperatively eradicate feral hogs in Missouri. In fiscal year 2010 staff discovered and eradicated approximately 500 pigs from and around 20 different Conservation Areas across the southern half of the state.

Through the Governor’s task force we are supporting outreach efforts and changes in legislation concerning feral hogs in Missouri. We have developed and begun implementing a statewide eradication effort. Outreach

• Weekly MOre Quail blog with 2000 hits per month and shared with 29,000 Facebook

followers. • Production and quarterly distribution of The Covey Headquarters newsletter to 10,000

cooperators and agency staff • Designed two CCRP practice flyers for enhanced promotional efforts, and also have a

revision of our mid-contract management flyer in the works. • Development of a how-to video series on wildlife practices posted on YouTube at

http://youtube.com/user/molandowner • Staff from the Private Land Services Division participated in 547 individual workshops,

events, and meetings to provide landowner assistance for the development of fish, forest, and wildlife habitat. These events reached over 34,959 individuals.

Technical Service Provider NRCS is providing the Department with $560,000 in FY2011 TSP grants in exchange for Department assistance in USDA Programs. The Department documents our costs based on actual products delivered (restoration plans, status reviews, technical assistance plans) that are used to assist with USDA Conservation Programs.

• Technical assistance agreement allows for the staffing of 4 wetland biologists, 4 area biologists, one program supervisor, one program coordinator and 49 private land conservationists in NRCS state, area, and field offices throughout the state.

The TSP grant has allowed the Department to hire 4 additional cooperative positions with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS):

USFWS technical assistance position focusing on grassland wildlife species. USFWS/DU technical assistance position focusing on wetland developments at the

confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. • Due to the economy 2 NGO positions have not been funded, but we are looking for

additional opportunities such as Whitetails Unlimited and Quail Forever We also subcontract with private technical service providers to handle some larger

wildlife and forestry planning jobs on private lands. For More information Contact: Missouri Department of Conservation Bill White or Lisa Potter, Private Land Services Division P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 Lisa.Potter@mdc.mo.gov OR Bill.White@mdc.mo.gov

2011 Nebraska Private Lands Program State Report Midwest Private Lands Working Group Meeting

The Habitat Partners Section of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission delivers private land habitat management activities in the state, coordinates conservation partnerships, and provides wildlife education. Our goal is to change the way people think and act in respect to the health of the land.

Initiatives Nebraska Natural Legacy Program (NNLP) • Actively implementing Nebraska’s Natural Legacy Plan (our State Wildlife Action Plan). • 8 coordinating biologists hired with various partners to implement the NNLP. They are

primarily focused on working with private landowners in NNLP focus areas using a variety of funds (LIP, SWG, Nebraska Environmental Trust, Farm Bill).

• NRCS-EQIP NNLP Special Initiative. Nebraska NRCS has continued to set aside $1 million in EQIP funds for a special initiative (with its own statewide ranking) for projects in the NNLP focus areas that meet the NNLP goals (this is the fourth straight year).

Saline Wetland Partnership • Partnership with City of Lincoln, Lancaster County, and Lower Platte South Natural Resources

District to promote conservation of saline wetlands (only found in and north of Lincoln, NE). • Only remaining habitats for the federally and state endangered Salt creek tiger beetle; also

provide habitat for waterfowl, upland game birds, and other wildlife. • Over $7,835,000 dollars in grant money has been secured by the partnership for these and

future projects. Major grant contributors have included the Nebraska Environmental Trust, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.

• Since its inception, this partnership has protected over 1,000 acres of saline wetlands, restoration and management efforts ongoing. Development pressures continue to increase the costs for protecting these important and limited wetland resources.

• Recently partnered with Pheasants Forever to purchase a 132 acre saline wetland (Helmuth Marsh).

Sandhills Task Force • Locally led initiative by ranchers, local community leaders, conservation partners, and

agencies to maintain and restore fully functional native grassland resources and wetlands in what may be the largest intact grassland landscape remaining in North America. Section staff serve on the board and assist in evaluating and implementing projects.

• Multiple NNLP focus areas are within the larger area covered by the Sandhills Task Force.

Rainwater Basin Joint Venture • In 2010 the RWBJV partners implemented over 5,000 acres of conservation activities

throughout the region, doubling the conservation actions previously accomplished in one year. • Last year was the inaugural year for the Watershed Initiative that resulted in over 40 pit fills

significantly restoring hydrology to 5 Waterfowl Production Areas, 4 Wildlife Management Areas, and 2 wetlands enrolled in the Wetland Reserve Program. Funding was provided by the USFWS Partners Program, NRCS WHIP, NGPC Wild Nebraska, Ducks Unlimited, and the RWBJV.

• The RWB began a Wetland Reserve Enhancement Program last year focused on providing guaranteed rights for center pivot irrigation systems to travel through restored WRP wetlands in the RWB. Over 85% of the remaining wetland footprints in the RWB are dissected by at least one center pivot. During the first year seven applications were submitted for the WREP Special Initiative and will restore over 640 acres of wetland and upland, exceeding the first year goals.

• Through close coordination with the partners over 3,000 acres of invasive vegetation communities were treated with herbicide this year. Through a competitive bid process we were able to package projects and apply glyphosate for $12.00/acre compared to the $25.00/acre originally quoted. Two aerial contractors and 3 agriculture cooperatives completed the treatments. Over 1,500 acres were treated with at least 2 passes of disking on public and private lands by DU.

Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) • Nebraska enrolled 84 new WRP contracts including 12,701 acres last year, obligating over

$24 million in WRP funding. Majority of these acres are along the unchannelized portion of the

Missouri River in northeast Nebraska. • New dedicated NRCS WRP teams have helped with the increase, but there have been

challenges with communication between new NRCS staff and NGPC and USFWS Partners staff. The use

of GARC (geographic area rate cap) rates for establishing value of easements has been a huge success; landowners can find out up front what the easement rates are. Focus on Pheasants (FOP) • FOP continues to be a joint private and public land initiative. • Efforts have shown positive results from landowners, land managers and in pheasant

populations. • Private lands focus has until now been largely focused on CRP Mid-Contract Management

activities. Initial efforts focused on disking and interseeding, but we are expanding our efforts to incorporate prescribed burning and herbicide use to better demonstrate and support the full suite of MCM tools that are available.

• SW Nebraska FOP has completed its first full year with approximately 3,000 acres enrolled in Tall Wheat Stubble, 2,000 in milo stubble, 607 new CRP acres, and 471 in mid-contract management. This roughly 260,000 acre focus area has seen a steady to increasing population of pheasants.

Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist Partnership • Within a month we should have 11 positions jointly funded through a Cooperative agreement

between NRCS and NGPC with a cost split of 85% NRCS and 15% NGPC for 8 of the positions, the other 3 are paid 100% by NGPC and PF. Positions are hired and held by NGO partners (DU, PF, RMBO), NGPC provides vehicle and travel costs, NRCS provides office space and computers, and supervision is shared between all 3 partners.

• Through this partnership, our Farm Bill Wildlife Biologists consistently complete more work products than required for reimbursement by NRCS.

General CRP Sign-up • Sign-up 39. We had 95.1% of the CRP offers in the state accepted on 189,515 acres. We

had around 172,000 acres expiring. However, we had many offers that were accepted by FSA that did not result in contracts. Pheasants Forever led efforts (that included NGPC, FSA, and NRCS) on 49 Landowner Information Meetings for the signup.

• Sign-up 41. We had approximately 2/3 as many acres offered (~100,000) as will expire this fall (~150,000). Pheasants Forever led an effort for 60 landowner meetings to help generate interest in the signup (partnering with NGPC, FSA, NRCS).

• Working with NRCS and FSA to set-up Mid-Contract Management practices for Pollinator Habitat established in general sign-ups.

Field Borders for Upland Game Birds (CP33) • Nebraska has over 2,000 acres of CP33 remaining. We expanded CP33 to a statewide

practice (we had previously limited it to our primary bobwhite quail range) based on monitoring results and benefits to a broad suite of game and non-game birds.

• Undertaking our last year of monitoring in partnership with Mississippi State University and the University of Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit.

• Trying to ramp excitement about CP33, especially clarifying that landowners can fully enroll pivot corners in CP33 as long as they connect those to another pivot corner with a CP33 field border.

• Early on with CP33 in Nebraska, the interpretation was that full pivot corners could not be enrolled; that has been corrected but the perception is still out there

Prescribed Fire in Nebraska • Many landowners are becoming interested in using prescribed fire to help manage their

grasslands. In Nebraska, fire is primarily used to control eastern red cedar, increase forage production, and quite a few landowners use prescribed burning to fulfill their CRP mid-contract management requirements.

• Several prescribed burn associations and task forces have been formed throughout the state and several more are currently in the works. These groups have found and utilized a variety of funds to help purchase equipment caches for landowner use.

• Due to the increasing use of fire in Nebraska, the state fire marshal and legislators are taking a close look at prescribed fire as to the training requirements for those using it, reasons why it is used, etc.

Wildlife Education • We currently have 1 full-time educator position (Lincoln) and two full-time temporary

assistants (Lincoln and Norfolk). • 48 Project WILD workshops that certified 967 educators • Advanced WILD workshops for “Flying WILD” and the new “WILD about Herpetology” • Program staff conducted educational programs across the state, reaching 16,514 adults and

youth. • Creating a new Nebraska Natural Legacy (our State Wildlife Action Plan) Education

Supplement for teachers to provide information and activities about Nebraska’s wildlife that meet state educational standards.

• The new “Growing Up WILD” program has been very successful with capacity workshops. A total of 16 workshops were completed training 250 educators.

• We are working with the Turkey Federation and Pheasants Forever on joint educator positions in the next year.

Access

• CRP-MAP – delivered by NGPC Partners staff. Enrollment dropped to ~145,000 acres during the 2010/11 hunting season (from high of 186,000 in 2003/04) due to expiring CRP contracts.

• Open Fields and Waters (OFW)– delivered by all NGPC staff from all divisions (Partner staff coordinate in each district). Focus on enrolling wetlands, woodlands, and fishing access. We had a total of 43,500 acres of hunting areas, 35 ponds, and 9 miles of streams in enrolled in the 2010-2011 program.

• Concerns that we will continue to see large drops in CRP-MAP as CRP acres expire. We are anticipating a high demand for a limited number of CRP acres in the upcoming general signup.

• Nebraska received $2.3 million in Voluntary Public Access – Habitat Incentive Program to expand our Open Fields and Waters program

• CRP-MAP and OFW have been combined with VPA-HIP dollars and the rates have been updated to better reflect actual land management values.

• Our goal is to sign up 312,500 acres of land and 100 miles of fishable streams, with 75% being enrolled in five year contracts.

• We have just hired a coordinator (who is employed by PF) to help facilitate the growth of this program

• We have spent close to $150,000 in marketing the program for enrollment, including, television and direct mail to all landowners in the state. Another campaign will follow in the fall to remind hunters/anglers of the access areas.

Nebraska Wind and Wildlife Working Group • Working on hiring a cooperative position with the University of Nebraska Lincoln Cooperative

Research Unit (UNL-CRU). • Working on a cooperative research project with the UNL-CRU to look at the impacts of wind

energy development on native grouse populations. • Coordinate internal development of a statewide map indicating relative wildlife risk. • Coordinate statewide working group to develop voluntary siting recommendations and

guidelines to avoid and minimize negative impacts for wildlife. • Engage Nebraska wind power industry, legislators, and energy agencies in issues. Recruitment, Development and Retention (RDR) of Hunters and Fishermen • Agency wide effort targeted at retaining, keeping, and recruiting new hunters. • Promotion of family friendly activities and outdoor events (expositions, recreational camps) to

introduce hunting and fishing to youth and adults. All section staff being involved in helping plan and staff events.

• Our new access program (Open Fields and Waters) was one of the primary efforts identified and funded in RDR.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Reorganization • The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is undergoing a reorganization process to

facilitate a more efficient workforce. • The Commission will now have four districts instead of six, leaving four Wildlife Division

District Managers to be reclassified into Biologist II’s. • The Wildlife Division will also have one less Assistant Division Administrator • The Fisheries Biologist in charge of the private waters program will now be housed within the

Habitat Partners Program • The Wildlife Diversity program will be moved to the Research Section