News Release

USDA Announces Funds to Help Mississippi Ag Producers Restore Wildlife Habitat

Contact:
Laura Anderson, Public Affairs
(601) 965-5205 Ext 144

Gopher Tortoise Part of Innovative Private Land Conservation to Benefit Agriculture and Wildlife

Jackson, Miss., May 18, 2018– The United States Department of Agriculture is making financial assistance available to partner with agricultural producers who want to restore and protect habitat for seven focus species, including the gopher tortoise in Mississippi.  Applications that are received by June 15, 2018, will be considered in the third-ranking period.

The United States Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will invest in habitat restoration for the gopher tortoise, the keystone species of longleaf pine forests in the Southeast. The tortoise is known for its deep burrows and is listed as threatened in the western part of its range under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Since 2012, NRCS has worked with land managers to make conservation improvements to more than 278,000 acres of pine forests, benefitting the gopher tortoise and many other species.

“Wildlife are significantly impacted by the decisions of agricultural producers,” stated Michael E. Carr, Acting NRCS State Conservationist for Mississippi. “It is important that producers manage lands with the gopher tortoise in an effort to enhance the tortoise’s habitat.”

The conservation efforts for the gopher tortoise are part of Working Lands for Wildlife Initiative (WLFW), which was launched in 2012 to support struggling landscapes and strengthens agricultural operations. The WLFW is a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that focuses on the habitats that are home to seven species, the greater sage-grouse, lesser prairie-chicken, southwestern willow flycatcher, golden-winged warbler, bog turtle, gopher tortoise and the New England cottontail.

Applications for all NRCS financial-assistance programs are accepted on a continuous sign-up process; however specific sign-up deadlines are established to rank, contract and fund qualified tracts of land. Applications for the Working Lands for Wildlife Initiative received by June 15, 2018, will be considered for funding this year.

Technical and financial assistance is available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. NRCS financial assistance covers part of the cost to implement conservation practices. Interested landowners are encouraged to contact their local USDA service center.

 

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