Indian Creek WHIP Project in Newberry, SC

February 26, 2008--The Cooperative Conservation Partners* of the Indian Creek Wildlife Habitat Restoration Initiative in Newberry, SC, hosted a guided tour on February 20, 2008.

The event highlighted partnership efforts among federal, state and local agencies/organizations which are in the process of restoring and improving habitat for declining species that depend on grasslands and similar habitats. The project was made possible through the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) which provides landowners with technical and financial assistance to develop habitat for upland wildlife, threatened and endangered species, fish, and other wildlife in South Carolina.

Richard Coombe and Reginald Hall presented a sign to a landowner involved in the Indian Creek Wildlife Habitat Initiative.

NRCS Regional Assistant Chief for the East Richard Coombe (left) and East Piedmont RC&D Coordinator Reginald Hall (right) presented a sign to a private landowner involved with the Indian Creek Initiative in Newberry County.

The cooperative conservation project started in October 2004 when representatives from the USDA Forest Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) met to discuss a plan which would restore and improve wildlife habitat within Indian Creek.

The cooperating agencies initiated a landscape restoration project which sought to restore habitat for species that depend on grasslands, including bobwhite quail and songbirds such as prairie warbler, loggerhead shrike, and Bachman’s sparrow.

National forest properties and privately-owned lands within the 16,000 acre project boundary are being restored and improved with conservation practices including pine stand thinning, prescribed burning, native warm season grass establishment and eradication of invasive species. Bird monitoring is also helping to evaluate the effectiveness of the project.

NRCS State Conservationist Niles Glasgow said, “WHIP has improved and protected over 2 million acres of important wildlife habitat since it began in 1998. Indian Creek is a great example of what can happen when people and agencies work together in the name of conservation—the impact is huge, and the benefits will be great for a number of different wildlife species.”

Since its inception in the 1930’s, NRCS’s conservation delivery system continues a unique partnership, delivering conservation that respects local needs, while accommodating state and national interests. For more information on NRCS, the conservation partnership, and conservation programs available in your community, stop by your local USDA service center, or visit NRCS online at www.nrcs.usda.gov.

*Indian Creek Wildlife Habitat Restoration Initiative Partners: Quail Unlimited (State and Newberry Chapter); SC Forestry Commission;USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service; East Piedmont Resource Conservation & Development Council; National Wild Turkey Federation; USDA Forest Service; SC Department of Natural Resources; Clemson Cooperative Extension Service; Newberry Soil & Water Conservation District; and Private Landowners.

Wildlife Habitat Restoration Improves Thousands of Acres in Newberry County

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