Colorado Conservationists Push for EQIP Wildlife Benefits
Biologists and conservation district leaders in eastern Colorado are working together to increase incentive payments and cost-share for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) practices that benefit at-risk wildlife habitats and species.
The group, which includes representatives from the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW), Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (RMBO), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Colorado Watershed Network, Ducks Unlimited (DU) and Colorado Association of Conservation Districts, recently proposed changes to the program at the Colorado Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Technical Committee meeting last month.
Proposed changes include focusing EQIP's wildlife resource concern on at-risk grouse and prairie-chicken species, shortgrass prairie biodiversity, and seasonal wetlands such as playas in five watersheds in eastern Colorado. Recommendations include offering 75 percent cost-share for practices that benefit wildlife such as prescribed burning and native grass seeding, plus incentive payments for practices implemented on land near grouse/chicken leks, with seasonal wetlands, or for contracts that benefit at-risk species such as Mountain Plover, Long-billed Curlew, Texas Horned Lizard and Swift Fox. The 75 percent cost-share is a 25 percent increase over the usual 50 percent offered for most EQIP practices.
The recommendations are now being reviewed by the state NRCS office which will make final decisions on payment rates for practices. For more information on the proposed changes, contact Shane Briggs, Farm Bill Coordinator for the CDOW. Learn more about this effort on Playa Country radio the week of Oct. 9.
Oklahoma Alliance Bids Farewell to Heglin, Seeks
New Coordinator
The Oklahoma Wildlife and Prairie Heritage Alliance (OWPHA) is seeking a qualified individual to lead the organization as current coordinator Trapper Heglin is moving on to join a new business venture in his hometown of Gate.
Dozens of Playa Classroom Materials Available Online
Teachers and environmental educators seeking classroom materials on playas will find more than 100 possibilities on the PLJV's Educator Resource Guide. The Guide has recently been updated with information on new activity guides, audio/visual materials, articles and field trip opportunities that have been developed over the last year. If you know of a resource not listed in the Guide, let us know.
PLJV Radio: LISTEN NOW
> Oct 2: Fall Brings out Birds and Birders: Birds are on the move and birders are flocking right behind. Find out what makes fall birding so special in playa country.
> Oct. 9: Making EQIP Work for Wildlife: This Farm Bill program relies on input from local interests - and eastern Colorado conservationists are speaking up.
> Oct. 16: Landowner Makes Playas a Priority: Playas are being protected in eastern New Mexico, largely thanks to a landowner who cares.
> Oct. 23: Conservation Easement ABCs: Learn about conservation easements and great tax breaks the IRS doesn't want you to know about.
> Oct. 30: Landowner Eases into Easement: New Mexico rancher gives his take on the easement process and preserving his land's legacy.
Happenings Around the PLJV:
> Oct. 4: Sandhills Partnership stakeholder meeting, Lovington, NM; contact Tish McDaniel
> Oct. 4-6: Sustaining Colorado's Watersheds: Science and Restoration through Collaboration, Breckenridge, CO
> Oct. 7-8: Texas Wildlife and Parks Expo, Austin
> Oct. 11: Ogallala Commons Fall Conference, Chadron, NE; contact Darryl Birkenfeld
> Oct. 11: Oklahoma Wildlife and Prairie Heritage Alliance meeting; contact Trapper Heglin
> Oct. 11-13: Soil and Water Conservation Society's Managing Agricultural Landscapes for Environmental Quality, Kansas City, MO
> Oct. 18: South Platte Focus Area Committee Meeting, Brush, CO; contact Bill Miles
> Oct. 24: Colorado Birding Trail meeting, Denver; contact John Koshak
> Oct. 26: Prairie and Wetland Focus Area Committee meeting, Lamar, CO; contact Seth Gallagher
> Nov. 1-2: Lesser Prairie-Chicken Interstate Working Group Meeting, Woodward, OK; contact Russ Horton
> Now - Nov. 30: Playa exhibit at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Indiahoma, OK
Biologists and conservation district leaders in eastern Colorado are working together to increase incentive payments and cost-share for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) practices that benefit at-risk wildlife habitats and species.
The group, which includes representatives from the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW), Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (RMBO), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Colorado Watershed Network, Ducks Unlimited (DU) and Colorado Association of Conservation Districts, recently proposed changes to the program at the Colorado Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Technical Committee meeting last month.
Proposed changes include focusing EQIP's wildlife resource concern on at-risk grouse and prairie-chicken species, shortgrass prairie biodiversity, and seasonal wetlands such as playas in five watersheds in eastern Colorado. Recommendations include offering 75 percent cost-share for practices that benefit wildlife such as prescribed burning and native grass seeding, plus incentive payments for practices implemented on land near grouse/chicken leks, with seasonal wetlands, or for contracts that benefit at-risk species such as Mountain Plover, Long-billed Curlew, Texas Horned Lizard and Swift Fox. The 75 percent cost-share is a 25 percent increase over the usual 50 percent offered for most EQIP practices.
The recommendations are now being reviewed by the state NRCS office which will make final decisions on payment rates for practices. For more information on the proposed changes, contact Shane Briggs, Farm Bill Coordinator for the CDOW. Learn more about this effort on Playa Country radio the week of Oct. 9.
Oklahoma Alliance Bids Farewell to Heglin, Seeks
New Coordinator
The Oklahoma Wildlife and Prairie Heritage Alliance (OWPHA) is seeking a qualified individual to lead the organization as current coordinator Trapper Heglin is moving on to join a new business venture in his hometown of Gate.
Heglin, hired in 2003, was the first OWPHA coordinator and led the organization in fostering community, landowner and legislative support for wildlife conservation in western Oklahoma. In his short tenure, Heglin and OWPHA helped dozens of private landowners restore and protect wildlife habitat, and helped spearhead the launch of a 1,777-mile, 33-county wildlife viewing trail - the Great Plains Trail of Oklahoma.
"Heglin is a talented, young leader and the OWPHA greatly benefited from having him at the helm from the beginning," said PLJV Coordinator Mike Carter. "He will be missed."
The OWHPA board of directors is currently seeking candidates for the coordinator position. Interested applicants should submit their resumes by Oct. 10.
Dozens of Playa Classroom Materials Available Online
Teachers and environmental educators seeking classroom materials on playas will find more than 100 possibilities on the PLJV's Educator Resource Guide. The Guide has recently been updated with information on new activity guides, audio/visual materials, articles and field trip opportunities that have been developed over the last year. If you know of a resource not listed in the Guide, let us know.
PLJV Radio: LISTEN NOW
> Oct 2: Fall Brings out Birds and Birders: Birds are on the move and birders are flocking right behind. Find out what makes fall birding so special in playa country.
> Oct. 9: Making EQIP Work for Wildlife: This Farm Bill program relies on input from local interests - and eastern Colorado conservationists are speaking up.
> Oct. 16: Landowner Makes Playas a Priority: Playas are being protected in eastern New Mexico, largely thanks to a landowner who cares.
> Oct. 23: Conservation Easement ABCs: Learn about conservation easements and great tax breaks the IRS doesn't want you to know about.
> Oct. 30: Landowner Eases into Easement: New Mexico rancher gives his take on the easement process and preserving his land's legacy.
Playa Country airs on High Plains Public Radio Mondays at 10:30am and Saturdays at 11:15am, and on KPAN Radio in Hereford, TX at 11:55am (all times CST). If you don't get Playa Country in your neck of the prairie, you can listen online. Send story ideas to Debbie Slobe.
Happenings Around the PLJV:
> Oct. 4: Sandhills Partnership stakeholder meeting, Lovington, NM; contact Tish McDaniel
> Oct. 4-6: Sustaining Colorado's Watersheds: Science and Restoration through Collaboration, Breckenridge, CO
> Oct. 7-8: Texas Wildlife and Parks Expo, Austin
> Oct. 11: Ogallala Commons Fall Conference, Chadron, NE; contact Darryl Birkenfeld
> Oct. 11: Oklahoma Wildlife and Prairie Heritage Alliance meeting; contact Trapper Heglin
> Oct. 11-13: Soil and Water Conservation Society's Managing Agricultural Landscapes for Environmental Quality, Kansas City, MO
> Oct. 18: South Platte Focus Area Committee Meeting, Brush, CO; contact Bill Miles
> Oct. 24: Colorado Birding Trail meeting, Denver; contact John Koshak
> Oct. 26: Prairie and Wetland Focus Area Committee meeting, Lamar, CO; contact Seth Gallagher
> Nov. 1-2: Lesser Prairie-Chicken Interstate Working Group Meeting, Woodward, OK; contact Russ Horton
> Now - Nov. 30: Playa exhibit at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Indiahoma, OK
South Platte Stretch Protected Thanks to NRCS and Partners
Portions of a 33-mile stretch of Colorado's South Platte River in Logan County are getting long-term protection through the NRCS's Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP).
Over the past 11 years, the NRCS and partners have secured 37 WRP contracts in Logan County alone, protecting vital river habitat from Sterling to Tamarack State Wildlife Area, as well as several nearby wetlands. The NRCS works with many partners including DU, USFWS Partners Program, CDOW, and Pheasants Forever on WRP projects in Logan County and throughout northeast Colorado.
"It takes many people to get a program like this on the ground and functioning," said Dawn Jackson, NRCS District Conservationists in Logan County. "The Wetlands Reserve Program is a great fit for the area and a way for landowners to enhance their properties for the benefit of wildlife."
Independent monitoring conducted by RMBO has shown tremendous bird use on a series of the WRP sites. Jackson credits strategic placement of easements based on biological information as the key to the program's success in the area.
"The time, energy and investment in WRP are initially great, but the long-term payoff for the benefit of natural resources in the area makes the extra steps worthwhile," Jackson said.
ConocoPhillips Grants Boost Local Conservation Efforts
Over the past 16 years, ConocoPhillips has contributed more than $1.5 million to support hundreds of conservation projects in the PLJV region through an annual, competitive matching grant program administered by the PLJV. That $1.5 million has been leveraged more than three-fold by JV partners, providing a significant boost to local conservation efforts.
This year, ConocoPhillips contributed $83,340 for 10 projects with partner contributions totaling $348,102. Many of these projects are being carried out by local communities, conservation districts, schools, universities and private landowners that never would have gotten off the ground without the support of these grants.
The PLJV is now seeking proposals for the 2007 grant cycle for habitat, research and education/outreach projects. Prospective applicants should submit proposals to their state representative by Nov. 15. Project administrators who received grants in 2006 are required to submit final or interim reports to the PLJV office by Nov. 1.
Follow the Money:
> PLJV/ConocoPhillips Grants: Proposals for the 2007 funding cycle are due to state representatives by Nov. 15. Final and interim reports from the 2006 cycle are due to the PLJV office Nov. 1.
> Tourism Cares: Tourism Cares supports tourism-related nonprofit organizations worldwide for conservation or preservation of exceptional cultural, historic, or natural sites. The program considers projects that protect, restore or conserve sites of exceptional cultural, historic or natural significance, and/or programs that educate local host communities and the traveling public about conservation and preservation of sites. Grants generally range between $10,000 and $20,000, but can be as much as $100,000. Letters of inquiry packets are due Nov. 1.
> NAWCA Small Grants: NAWCA Small Grants provide matching funds to private or public organizations or to individuals who have developed partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects in the United States, Canada and Mexico. This year, grant requests can be up to $75,000. Before applying, contact the PLJV staff and also check out the PLJV's Small NAWCA Checklist. Deadline Dec. 1.
> Colorado Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program: In 2007, Colorado NRCS will again focus Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) funding on larger scale habitat projects that achieve the WHIP goal of enhancing and protecting habitats for wildlife species experiencing significant population declines. The NRCS is asking for written proposals from wildlife agencies and organizations, agricultural and environmental organizations, Conservation Districts, and other appropriate organizations for specific project areas that will target specific habitats and wildlife species. Proposals that leverage in-kind and/or financial resources to address WHIP priorities will be particularly attractive for funding. Deadline: Dec. 1.
> Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (Neotrop) Grants: Proposals are now being accepted for the Neotrop Act Grant program. The program funds projects that promote the conservation of these birds in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Projects may include activities to benefit bird populations and their habitats, research and monitoring, law enforcement, and outreach and education. Deadline: Dec. 4.
> Wilburforce Foundation: The Wilburforce Foundation is dedicated to protecting nature's richness and diversity through funding programs that help preserve wild places. The program focuses funding on organizations that work to protect habitats that are critically important to sustaining abundant ecological communities in Western Canada and the Western United States. Deadline: Dec. 15.
> Captain Planet Foundation: The mission of the Captain Planet Foundation is to support hands-on environmental projects for youth in grades K-12 throughout the world. Support is provided to nonprofit organizations and schools for environmental education programs that promote interaction and cooperation and that help young people develop planning and problem-solving skills. Grants range from $500 to $2,500. The next deadline is Dec. 31.
> Conservation Security Program: Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns recently announced which watersheds will be eligible for the 2007 Conservation Security Program (CSP). Watersheds in the PLJV region include: Upper Arkansas/John Martin Reservoir watershed in southeast Colorado, Coon-Pickerel in central/western Kansas, and Upper Washita in central/western Oklahoma.
Portions of a 33-mile stretch of Colorado's South Platte River in Logan County are getting long-term protection through the NRCS's Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP).
Over the past 11 years, the NRCS and partners have secured 37 WRP contracts in Logan County alone, protecting vital river habitat from Sterling to Tamarack State Wildlife Area, as well as several nearby wetlands. The NRCS works with many partners including DU, USFWS Partners Program, CDOW, and Pheasants Forever on WRP projects in Logan County and throughout northeast Colorado.
"It takes many people to get a program like this on the ground and functioning," said Dawn Jackson, NRCS District Conservationists in Logan County. "The Wetlands Reserve Program is a great fit for the area and a way for landowners to enhance their properties for the benefit of wildlife."
Independent monitoring conducted by RMBO has shown tremendous bird use on a series of the WRP sites. Jackson credits strategic placement of easements based on biological information as the key to the program's success in the area.
"The time, energy and investment in WRP are initially great, but the long-term payoff for the benefit of natural resources in the area makes the extra steps worthwhile," Jackson said.
ConocoPhillips Grants Boost Local Conservation Efforts
Over the past 16 years, ConocoPhillips has contributed more than $1.5 million to support hundreds of conservation projects in the PLJV region through an annual, competitive matching grant program administered by the PLJV. That $1.5 million has been leveraged more than three-fold by JV partners, providing a significant boost to local conservation efforts.
This year, ConocoPhillips contributed $83,340 for 10 projects with partner contributions totaling $348,102. Many of these projects are being carried out by local communities, conservation districts, schools, universities and private landowners that never would have gotten off the ground without the support of these grants.
The PLJV is now seeking proposals for the 2007 grant cycle for habitat, research and education/outreach projects. Prospective applicants should submit proposals to their state representative by Nov. 15. Project administrators who received grants in 2006 are required to submit final or interim reports to the PLJV office by Nov. 1.
Follow the Money:
> PLJV/ConocoPhillips Grants: Proposals for the 2007 funding cycle are due to state representatives by Nov. 15. Final and interim reports from the 2006 cycle are due to the PLJV office Nov. 1.
> Tourism Cares: Tourism Cares supports tourism-related nonprofit organizations worldwide for conservation or preservation of exceptional cultural, historic, or natural sites. The program considers projects that protect, restore or conserve sites of exceptional cultural, historic or natural significance, and/or programs that educate local host communities and the traveling public about conservation and preservation of sites. Grants generally range between $10,000 and $20,000, but can be as much as $100,000. Letters of inquiry packets are due Nov. 1.
> NAWCA Small Grants: NAWCA Small Grants provide matching funds to private or public organizations or to individuals who have developed partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects in the United States, Canada and Mexico. This year, grant requests can be up to $75,000. Before applying, contact the PLJV staff and also check out the PLJV's Small NAWCA Checklist. Deadline Dec. 1.
> Colorado Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program: In 2007, Colorado NRCS will again focus Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) funding on larger scale habitat projects that achieve the WHIP goal of enhancing and protecting habitats for wildlife species experiencing significant population declines. The NRCS is asking for written proposals from wildlife agencies and organizations, agricultural and environmental organizations, Conservation Districts, and other appropriate organizations for specific project areas that will target specific habitats and wildlife species. Proposals that leverage in-kind and/or financial resources to address WHIP priorities will be particularly attractive for funding. Deadline: Dec. 1.
> Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (Neotrop) Grants: Proposals are now being accepted for the Neotrop Act Grant program. The program funds projects that promote the conservation of these birds in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Projects may include activities to benefit bird populations and their habitats, research and monitoring, law enforcement, and outreach and education. Deadline: Dec. 4.
> Wilburforce Foundation: The Wilburforce Foundation is dedicated to protecting nature's richness and diversity through funding programs that help preserve wild places. The program focuses funding on organizations that work to protect habitats that are critically important to sustaining abundant ecological communities in Western Canada and the Western United States. Deadline: Dec. 15.
> Captain Planet Foundation: The mission of the Captain Planet Foundation is to support hands-on environmental projects for youth in grades K-12 throughout the world. Support is provided to nonprofit organizations and schools for environmental education programs that promote interaction and cooperation and that help young people develop planning and problem-solving skills. Grants range from $500 to $2,500. The next deadline is Dec. 31.
> Conservation Security Program: Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns recently announced which watersheds will be eligible for the 2007 Conservation Security Program (CSP). Watersheds in the PLJV region include: Upper Arkansas/John Martin Reservoir watershed in southeast Colorado, Coon-Pickerel in central/western Kansas, and Upper Washita in central/western Oklahoma.
Playa Post ©2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 Playa Lakes Joint Venture. Submission deadlines are the 15th of each month for publication the following month. Send press releases, comments and subscription inquiries to Debbie Slobe.