New York Wildlife Habitat Incentives ProgramThe New York State Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a part of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill). This voluntary program plans to restore, enhance and establish grassland habitat on privately owned land in the traditional and historical native grassland areas of the Finger Lakes region. Species benefiting from this restoration program are Bobolink, Blue-winged Teal, Henslow’s Sparrow, Hellbender, Upland Sandpiper, Northern Harrier, Eastern Meadowlark, Vesper Sparrow, short-eared owl, river otter, Karner Blue Butterfly and Grasshopper Sparrow.
The Mendon Foundation’s Open Space, Land Acquisition and Stewardship Committee is working in close collaboration with JoBeth Ballanca of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in recruiting prospective landowners to participate in the program.
Eligible lands include privately owned land and Federal land when the primary benefit is on private or Tribal land. If you are eligible for the program, there are certain conservation compliance and wetland conservation requirements to be met. WHIP provides cost-share payments to the landowners under 5 or 10 year agreements. A 15 year agreement is available for those who wish to undertake habitat development practices on essential plant and animal habitat. The minimum acreage requirement is five acres or more. A committee member will initially evaluate each parcel to decide eligibility for the program. JoBeth Bellanca will then assess the site and rank the parcel for application. After the land is accepted into the program, a schedule is established for planting of specific warm weather grasses suitable to the land. Members of the Committee will monitor the progression of the program and report to Ms. Bellanca.
If you would like more information about the program please e-mail Arlene Cluff, Chairman @ajcluff45@aol.com or JoBeth Bellanca @ jobeth.bellanca@ny.usda.gov. We will be happy to walk your property with you and evaluate the site for eligibility.
Several landowners have successfully participated in the program over the past two years. At Sibleyville Nature Reserve on Plains Road, the grasslands are growing after a successful planting this spring. This Reserve owned by the Mendon Foundation is open to the public. Habitat restoration should be completed in the next two years with the grasses fully grown.
Here’s an environmental program that offers an interesting method of preserving open space. Enhance your environment and increase your property values.
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