Landowner Incentive Program

About

The Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) provides state fish and wildlife agencies grant funds to establish or expand habitat protection and restoration programs on private land for "at risk" species. Although this program was not funded in 2007, the states continue to put projects on the ground with funding awarded in previous years.

Funding

LIP was a competitive grant program, first authorized in 2002. States provide a minimum of 25 percent non-federal share of program costs to support their programs. These funds may be provided by the state, landowner or other conservation partners. Grants were awarded in two tiers. State funding requests could not exceed $1.74 million per state for Tier 2, or Tiers 1 and 2 combined.

Tier 1 Grants are to assist states in hiring staff and purchasing necessary equipment and other associated support to develop a new Landowner Incentive Program or enhance an existing program. States can request a maximum of $180,000 at the Tier 1 level.

Tier 2 Grants are to implement the Landowner Incentive Programs. These funds are used for on-the-ground projects that directly benefit the habitat and species on private land.

Activities

Activities eligible for funding include:

• restoration of wetlands
• removal of exotic plants and animals
• fencing to enhance important riparian habitats
• instream and streambank structural improvements to benefit aquatic species
• land restoration to protect habitats and improve the environment for native plants and wildlife
• long-term conservation easements