USDA CONSERVATION PROGRAMS IN ALABAMA ENHANCE WILDLIFE HABITATS

BY ADAM N. RABINOWITZ, PH.D.

The history of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) dates back to the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. With a focus on working lands conservation programs, the NRCS strives to deliver solutions for agricultural producers and forest landowners that can protect natural resources and improve the quality of the air, water, soil and wildlife habitat. A working lands program allows for continued production on the land, thus maintaining economic activity and impact on local communities.

One of the goals of NRCS conservation efforts on agricultural and forest lands is to enhance wildlife habitats while also addressing the needs of agricultural production. Two of the working lands programs with wildlife impact include the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). These programs are funded through the Farm Bill, a key package of legislation that covers multiple government programs focused on the farm and food sectors including agricultural safety nets, conservation, crop insurance and nutrition assistance.

Conservation Stewardship Program

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is offered by NRCS to agricultural producers and forest landowners to improve grazing conditions, increase crop resiliency and develop wildlife habitats. The NRCS works with operations to develop a conservation plan that is specific to an operation’s individual objectives. When producers implement specific practices, they may be provided with financial and technical assistance to adopt and maintain these conservation efforts. As a working lands program, CSP is designed to improve the agricultural operation while also enhancing natural resources. Since the program focuses on improvement, there is a five-year commitment that often involves a broader component of the operation. The USDA has identified benefits of the CSP program that may include enhanced resiliency to weather and market volatility, a decreased need for agricultural inputs and an improved wildlife habitat.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) also offers financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and forest landowners. Producers adopt conservation practices through EQIP that are typically more limited in scope to address specific problems with a part of the operation. This program is structured in cost-share contracts, where producers are reimbursed up to a percentage of the estimated costs for adopting certain practices. In some cases, such as for socially disadvantaged, limited resource, beginning and veteran farmers, up to 90% of eligible costs can be reimbursed. Benefits of EQIP identified by the USDA may include reducing input costs through efficient use of nutrients, improved soil health and water use and improved wildlife habitat.

Northern Bobwhite Habitat

One of the areas that NRCS is seeking to improve wildlife habitat in Alabama is for the northern bobwhite, a ground-dwelling bird that seeks habitat where crop fields intersect with woodlands and pastures. These areas have grasslands, shrubby areas and pines with the food and brush necessary for the birds' nesting, brooding and safety. Alabama is one of 14 states where NRCS and landowners are working together to develop successful habitats on working lands. This might occur through the development of field borders, integration of native plants in pastures, and thinning of mature forests. All of these are practices that also benefit other species of wildlife.

Financial Assistance in Alabama

In 2022, the CSP and EQIP programs have obligated over $45 million to Alabama producers and landowners for the adoption of conservation practices. This has been part of a steady increase since 2020 when just over $25 million was obligated to these programs. The larger share of program dollars has been allocated to the EQIP program, with 2022 obligations totaling over $28 million. Over 325,000 acres of land in Alabama were enrolled in CSP and EQIP in 2022.

Additional Information

If producers and landowners want more information about these programs, they are encouraged to reach out to an NRCS field office or visit the website http://www.nrcs.usda.gov. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) can also provide guidance through local county extension offices and on the website http://www.aces.edu.