The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife has $9 million in funding available for landowners who want to create grassland habitat that can support native wildlife, like northern bobwhite quail and other grassland-nesting birds. Several types of grant awards are currently available.
Eligible land includes cropland and non-cropland. Grants will be awarded on a per-acre basis or on the number of projects. Contract agreements can range from one to four years, and the Division of Wildlife and National Bobwhite and Grasslands Initiative Foundation will work with interested landowners to provide hands-on technical assistance at no cost.
“This grassland habitat program is a win-win for landowners and wildlife,” said John Kaiser, Private Lands Program manager for ODNR Division of Wildlife. “Healthy native grasslands support pollinators, improve soil health, and create vital cover for birds and other wildlife. With the right guidance and support, landowners can make a big difference.”
Interested landowners should contact a Wildlife Management Consultant for expert help in planning practical conservation efforts designed for wildlife-friendly land management strategies. The program will also evaluate long-term improvement to habitat and bird populations, as well as broader social and economic benefits.
Grassland birds, including bobwhites, have experienced population declines in Ohio and across the nation due to habitat loss. Much of the state’s potential grassland habitat is on private land, so these projects greatly benefit the priority species. The new program provides customized solutions that align a landowner’s goals, including improving soil health, increasing recreation value, supporting livestock or enriching wildlife diversity.
“This partnership is more than just funding; it’s about bringing together people who care about working lands, biodiversity and long-term stewardship,” said Matt Gardner, State Regional Conservation Partnership Program Coordinator for the National Bobwhite and Grasslands Initiative Foundation.
The National Bobwhite and Grassland Initiative Foundation and Ohio were awarded the funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program. It is part of a multi-state initiative to fuel native grassland habitat restoration. The National Bobwhite and Grasslands Initiative Foundation is a partnership to restore and maintain wild bobwhite quail, associated species and their native habitats through science-based research and management.
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