The Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative (MBHI) took flight during the Deepwater Horizon/BP oil spill. This partnership effort is one of the most popular initiatives in NRCS history.
Conservation-minded landowners who love wildlife offered more than 1 million acres for MBHI. More than 470,000 acres are now enrolled -- that's 3 times greater than anticipated! In fact, funding for the initiative had to be increased to $40 million to meet the demand. Participating states are: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas.
MBHI is focused on the future, with projects that will benefit wildlife, landowners, and the environment for years to come. Projects provide food and critical habitat for bird populations; much-needed water during drought; support for local economies by attracting hunters and bird watchers; and new opportunities to improve wildlife management.
Northern Plains Farmers and Ranchers Apply for New Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative
NRCS Chief Dave White announces that Northern Plains farmers and ranchers have applied for a new initiative designed to enhance migratory bird habitat, improve water quality and the health of grasslands in the Prairie Pothole Region of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. Read the NRCS News Release
Video - Get up close and personal with birds migrating through MBHI areas, plus stories on CNN, NBC News, and YouTube. Note to reporters: B-roll is available for your MBHI story.
Radio Interviews - Hear interviews with NRCS Chief Dave White and other agency leaders.
Visit MBHI Partners - Links to some of the organizations working hard for MBHI.
A Winning Year for Wildlife and Wetlands
Scott Sutherland, Director of Ducks Unlimited's (DU) Government Affairs Office (on right), presented NRCS Chief Dave White the 2011 Wetlands Conservation Achievement Award for the USDA agency's efforts in creating habitat for birds migrating through Gulf of Mexico flyways and delivering a record-setting year in Wetlands Reserve Program enrollments. More...
