Audubon National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Mountain-Prairie Region
Landowners Programs

 

LANDOWNER PROGRAMS


Partners for Wildlife Program – this private lands program offers cost-share and/or financial incentives to private landowners wanting to restore, enhance, or create wildlife habitat on their lands.

Rotational Grazing Systems

  • Landowner agrees to a managed rotational grazing system (twice-over, switchback)
  • No minimum acreage is required
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pays up to 100% of the cost of fencing materials and 50% for water developments needed to implement the rotational grazing system
  • 10 year agreement

Wetland Restorations

  • 100% of dirt work costs will be paid by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to contractor or private landowner willing to do the work
  • 10 year agreements

Wetland Creations

  • Cost share up to $2,000 per surface acre to install dams for creating wetlands
  • Shallow wetlands less than 5 feet deep are preferred
  • Wetland may be used as a livestock watering facility

Grass Seeding

  • 40-100% of the cost of grass seed and drill cost will be paid to plant cropland to grass
  • Planted field must be delayed from haying until after July 15 or be part of a managed grazing system.
  • Minimum 10 year agreements on tame grasses and 20 years on native grass

For more information on these private lands programs contact chad_klindtworth@fws.gov or at 701/442-5474 ext. 19.

Wetland Easement Program – A wetland easement is a legal agreement signed with the United States of America, through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which pays the landowner to permanently protect wetlands. Wetlands covered by an easement cannot be drained, filled, leveled, or burned. When these wetlands dry up naturally, they can be farmed, grazed, or hayed. Wetlands covered by an easement are mapped and a copy of the easement and maps are sent to the landowner. No signs are placed on your property; and the easement will not affect your hunting or mineral rights.  

Grassland Easement Program - A grassland easement is a legal agreement signed with the United States of America, through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which pays you to permanently keep your land in grass. Many landowners never plan on putting their land into crop production and can benefit from the added cash incentive of a grassland easement. Land covered by a grassland easement may not be cultivated. Mowing, haying and grass seed harvesting must be delayed until after July 15 each year. This restriction is to help grassland nesting species, such as ducks and pheasants, complete their nesting before the grass is disturbed. Grazing is not restricted in any way.

Last updated: February 4, 2009