Nebraska Game and Parks Commission : Private Lands Habitat Improvement and Hunting Access Programs

1. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: Private Lands Habitat Improvement and Hunting Access Programs Tim Hermansen, Wildlife Biologist Habitat Partners Section Nebraska Game and Parks Commission North Platte, NE

2. Private Lands Habitat Management • Private Lands Technical and Financial Assistance • Nebraska Natural Legacy Project • WILD Nebraska • Wetlands Incentives Program (WIP) • CRP-MAP (Management Access Program)

3. Private Lands Technical and Financial Assistance • Guide Landowners towards enhanced wildlife habitats. • Utilize Grants, Habitat Stamp Dollars, Partner Funds

4. Nebraska Natural Legacy Program • 40 “Biologically Unique Landscapes” across state targeting areas with at-risk wildlife and plant communities. • Provides incentives to landowners to enhance their properties for wildlife and their operations. • Can be used to target specific habitat needs in important landscapes • Utilizing various grants from Federal and Non-governmental Organizations to promote conservation on a landscape wide level. • Landowner Incentive Program (federal funds) • State Wildlife Grants (federal funds) • Private Stewardship Grants (federal funds through landowner groups or NGO). • Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund Grants • Partner Money (USFWS, NRCS, NGO)

5. WILD Nebraska • Joint projects with local Natural Resource Districts, NGPC and Landowners. • Focuses on permanent wildlife habitat for a variety of species. • Permanent nesting cover, grassland restorations, shrub thickets/shelterbelts for wildlife • Cost share available for work to be completed. • Limited amount of annual payments, not common.

6. Wetlands Incentives Program • State-wide program aimed at wetland restoration and management projects. • Funding comes from Habitat and State Duck Stamp revenue, and possibly other granting sources. • Projects often include collaborating with numerous partners. • USFWS, NRCS, Ducks Unlimited, Joint Ventures • Project types include: • Wetland Restoration • Wetland Vegetation Management and Maintenance • Wetland Enhancement (Alterations) • Wetland Establishment (Creation)

7. Private Lands Hunting Access Programs • CRP-MAP (Management Access Program) • Extended Access Program • Passing Along The Heritage (PATH)

8. CRP-MAP • 1 – 5 year contracts with landowners owning ground currently enrolled in CRP. • Some adjacent undisturbed habitats may be enrolled in contract. • Opens ground to all legal hunting by foot traffic only. • Payments of $1.00 - $5.00 per acre per year based on quality of ground and willingness to perform habitat improvements. • Poor quality gets $1.00 while upgraded ground gets $5.00 • Generally, adjacent habitats receive $1.00 per acre • Primary habitat improvements are disking and interseeding of forbs and legumes for enhanced bird nesting cover.

9. Extended Access Program • Hunting by Walk-in Only • Open to anyone who wishes to hunt the property, no permission needed from landowner • Hunting by Permission Only • Verbal permission needed by landowner • Hunting by Written Permission Only • Permission slip signed by landowner is needed, without the slip, considered trespassing.

10. Passing Along The Heritage (PATH) • Opens private land to mentored youth hunts. • One youth hunter and one unarmed adult mentor. • Property scored based on habitat quality, size of property and availability for the hunts to occur. • Landowners choose species, seasons and dates for hunting. • More limits on species/seasons equals lower score. • Controlled by an online reservation system. • Payments available up to $250.00 per contract. • Based on score and suitability of property for hunting.

11. Questions?