Nearly $300,000 is available to Arizona private & tribal landowners who want to develop or improve wildlife habitat on their land. Proposals are being accepted until April 13th, for the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program. The Natural Resources Conservation Service administers the program.

Through WHIP, NRCS provides technical assistance & 75% of the cost for projects that establish & improve fish & wildlife habitat. Projects that directly benefit federally listed threatened or endangered species are eligible to receive 90% of the project cost.

Projects involving large landscapes, with multiple partners & multiple landowners, are the focus for this year’s WHIP program in Arizona. Emphasis is being placed on projects focusing on the following areas: Grassland restoration, Riparian restoration, Wetland restoration, Bat habitat protection, & Threatened or endangered species.

Applications are available online through Grants.gov. Contact Steve Smarik, NRCS Environmental Specialist, at 602-280-8785 or visit az.nrcs.usda.gov.