LANDOWNERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NO-COST HABITAT RESTORATION PROGRAM OFFERED BY U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

During the last decade, thousands of private landowners nationwide have participated in a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) habitat venture known as the Partners for Wildlife program. Nationally, almost 650,000 acres of important fish and wildlife habitat on private land have been restored at no cost to landowners since the program began in 1987.

Partners for Wildlife has been a cooperative effort with private landowners who have voluntarily offered to restore drained, degraded and marginal habitats. Through this program the Service has: 1) Restored important wetlands, associated uplands and riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.

Learn more about riparian corridors for the benefit of migratory birds, endangered species and native fish on private, non-Federal and tribal lands, and 2) Encouraged cooperation with thousands of partners to cost-share expenses of most restoration projects. Partners include state fish and wildlife agencies, soil and water conservation districts, individuals, communities and private conservation organizations.

The program was recently renamed Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFFW) to reflect an increase in funding available to landowners who wish to address specific fisheries resource needs. This cooperative Federal program now also addresses the restoration of riparian and in-stream habitats on private lands.

“While the name has changed to emphasize the program’s ecosystem concept, we will maintain the same direct approach to successfully restore and protect habitats in the Upper Midwest,” said Bill Hartwig, Service Regional Director.

“We’ll continue to restore habitats voluntarily offered by private landowners and to cost-share as many projects as our partners wish to participate in. This program will also continue to provide the same expertise and technical assistance as before. During the past decade, this cooperation has forged one of the best habitat programs to hit the ground. It will continue to be an option for landowners considering a conservation legacy.”

Through the PFFW program, the Service contributes funds, technical assistance and equipment for habitat-restoration projects throughout the nation. Since 1987, more than 70,000 acres of wetlands have been restored in the eight states of the upper Midwest.

Wetland Restoration Summary 1987-1997

State	IA	IL	IN	MI	MN	MO	OH	WI	Total
Basins Restored
Estimated Acres

More than 3,500 upper Midwest landowners have signed development agreements with the Service to receive cost-share assistance. To receive this free financial support, landowners voluntarily agree to protect their restored habitats for a minimum of 10 years, thereby guaranteeing the financial investments collectively shared by the Service and its partners. Voluntary participation allows landowners to retain all previous ownership rights and responsibilities, including the right to limit public access.

Contributions from partners during 1997 resulted in the collective restoration of more than 3,200 acres of wetlands. In addition, almost 3,000 acres of upland habitat--including more than 1,950 acres of native grasses/forbs and 280 acres of bottomland hardwood timber--were planted.

In addition to enhancing fish and wildlife habitats, soil and water conservation values associated with the PFFW program include reduced runoff, reduced soil erosion, conservation education and outreach potential, enhanced recreational opportunities, and improved economic opportunities.

For specific information on the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program, landowners in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin may contact their local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service field station. Landowners and partners may also receive information through the Service’s Branch of Private Lands in the Regional Office by contacting Steve Kufrin at 612-713-5447.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov