Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program--How to Become a Partner

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Answers To Your Questions

1) Can I be a partner?

Most of our partners are private landowners, but anyone interested in restoring and protecting wildlife habitat on private or tribal lands can get involved in the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. This includes Federal, State and local agencies, Tribes, private organizations, corporations and schools and others.

2) Are my lands eligible for restoration under this Program?

Any privately-owned land is potentially eligible for restoration. "Privately-owned," for the purposes of this Program, includes any land not owned by the State or Federal government.

3) Who does the restoration?

There are three options for getting the job done: 1) the landowner restores the land and is reimbursed directly for some or all of his or her expenses; 2) the Service or the landowner hires a contractor to complete the work; or 3) Service employees may do the on-the ground work.

4) What is the cost share rate?

Normally the cost share rate is 50% (the Service and the landowner each pay half of the project costs), but the percentage is flexible. Services or labor can qualify for cost-sharing.

5) What is a landowner agreement?

Before beginning a habitat restoration project, the Service and the landowner must sign an agreement that states that the landowner will not return the project area to its former use, or damage or destroy the restoration project, during the agreement period without reimbursing the Service for the funds spent on the project. The length of the agreement is based on the level of the technical and financial assistance provided by the Service. Most agreements are for 10 years.

6) How does the Service decide which projects are of highest priority?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service focuses projects in watersheds where conservation efforts will provide the greatest benefits for Federal trust species which include: migratory birds, anadromous (migratory) fish, and threatened and endangered species. The Service also gives special consideration to projects that:

1) are on permanently protected private lands;

2) are identified as high priority by or State fish and wildlife agencies and other partners;

3) are located near National Wildlife Refuges;

4) reduce habitat fragmentation;

5) conserve or restore natural communities which the State Natural Heritage Programs or Heritage Data Base have designated as globally or nationally imperiled;

6) are self-sustaining systems that are not dependent on artificial structures.

When other considerations are equal, priority may be given to projects that:

1) have longer duration agreements;

2) involve greater non-Service partnerships and/or cost-sharing; and

3) are the most cost effective.

7) Is my land suitable for habitat restoration?

Almost any land, whether it has been cropped, grazed, mined or cleared, can be restored. A walk around the property with a Service biologist is the best way to find out about a site's restoration potential.

8) How do you restore land to useful wildlife habitat?

Projects are designed to restore native habitat to as near a natural state as possible. Methods used in freshwater wetland restoration include blocking drainage ditches, breaking tile drains, creating shallow water areas where wetland plants can grow, and recreating natural drainage and stream meanders. Stream restoration may include fencing areas to prevent livestock from having direct access to a stream, providing alternative water sources, and allowing nature to revegetate the streamside habitat. Sometimes native vegetation is planted to speed up restoration. In other cases, stream restoration includes the use of engineering techniques to recreate the shape and structure of the stream. Upland restoration to native grasslands or woodlands may involve seeding, planting, and /or changing management practices (for example, burning, cutting, grazing).

8) Will the Service help me build a stock pond on my property?

The Service does not provide funding for stock pond construction under the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. Stock ponds are generally designed to maximize the amount of open water while minimizing the growth of cattails and other aquatic plants. Such a pond provides limited habitat value for wetland wildlife.

9) When will the work be done?

Each project will be done as soon as possible. Some projects may be completed in a matter of a few months. Others might have to wait for permit processing or good weather.

10) What kind of maintenance is required?

Most restorations are designed to require little maintenance. Keeping livestock off dikes and maintaining water control structures are usually all that is required. Minor maintenance is generally the responsibility of the landowner. Major maintenance requirements, such as repairing dykes or replacing water control structures, are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

11) After the restoration do I have to allow public access to my land?

No. Restoring habitat with the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program does not mean that you have to allow public access on your land. Service employees may occasionally need access to the project area to check on its progress.

12) How do I get started?

The first step is to contact your State Partners for Fish and Wildlife coordinator. If the proposed project appears feasible, and fits within the Program's priorities, the Partners coordinator will schedule a visit to your property. To find your State coordinator, take a look at "How to Become a Partner".

Visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Home Page.

Last updated June 24, 2002.