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USDA Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)

Protects Bobwhite Quail in South Carolina

COLUMBIA, SC, September 17, 2004 —USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Walter W. Douglas announced that $560,000 in Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) funds will help over 90 landowners in South Carolina improve fish and wildlife habitat on their private lands. South Carolina was one of twenty-one states to receive additional FY 04 WHIP funds.

"This program focuses on helping landowners voluntarily develop or enhance fish and wildlife habitat on their land," Douglas said. "It offers farmers an opportunity to meet their production needs in ways that are compatible with providing fish and wildlife habitat."

States receiving the additional funds were Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin.

Through WHIP, NRCS provides financial and technical assistance to interested landowners and others to develop upland, wetland, riparian and aquatic habitat areas on their property. The program provides full flexibility to landowners, offering 5- to 10-year agreements and, with exception, one-year and 15-year or longer agreements.

WHIP can help reverse the trend in the decline of available fish and wildlife habitat and contribute to the recovery of many of the nation's species that currently are at risk. For example, in South Carolina, WHIP helps landowners improve wildlife habitat for bobwhite quail by establishing field borders, fire breaks, and planting food plots for forage and shelter.

Since WHIP began in 1998, 14,700 participants have enrolled about 2.3 million acres into the program. Additional information on WHIP is available at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/whip, or call (803) 253-3512.

USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          Contact:        Amy O. Maxwell 
                                                                    Public Affairs Specialist  
                                                                    803.765.5402  
                                                                    amy.maxwell@sc.usda.gov