Private Lands Day 2011!
October 4th-6th the Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) program hosted its annual Private Lands Day event in Aberdeen, SD. This gathering celebrates the accomplishments of PFW and its many partners. Over 100 supporters were in attendance from across the country with over 25 states and 8 Service regions represented!
Field tour highlighting project accomplishments of the South Dakota PFW program and its partners. Photo by Matt Filsinger, USFWS
The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's private lands program.
Photo by Heather Johnson, USFWS
The program provides both technical and financial assistance to private landowners to achieve on-the-ground habitat restoration projects.
The Partners program, since the mid-1980's, has been developing and maintaining positive working relationships with landowners to benefit fish and wildlife resources. Such activities have resulted in tremendous on-the-ground habitat restoration and enhancement accomplishments that contribute to the Service's federal trust resource mission and instill in our partners an even greater appreciation for fish, wildlife and the habitats upon which they depend. All of this is being accomplished in a voluntary manner.
There are many landowners who are eager to be involved in making a difference on the landscape. These individuals recognize that habitat for fish and wildlife doesn't have to come at the expense of their livelihood, but rather compliments their farming and ranching practices and helps to maintain traditional rural lifestyles.
Sustainable rural communities are critically dependent upon such things as healthy soils and the quality and availability of water. The Partners program has demonstrated expertise in partnership building and the delivery of real-life, cost-effective projects that result in improved fish and wildlife habitat and complement the continued functioning of private land activities. Flexibility is the strength of the Partners program, allowing a wide range of technical and financial options for landowners to address their particular concerns and interests. The Partners program is a cost-share program. If you are interested in habitat restoration projects on your land, please contact us!
