Fact Sheet January 2008

United States State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Department of Agriculture Approved Projects

Overview lishes the highest value conserva- Colorado tion practices on generally smaller On Jan. 19, 2008, Acting Agri- acreages. General sign-up CRP Colorado Lesser Prairie Chick- culture Secretary Chuck Conner acreage, on the other hand, often en SAFE announced the first projects to be enrolls whole fields and farms. The goal of the Colorado Lesser approved under the new continu- USDA’s national goal is to restore Prairie Chicken SAFE is to restore ous Conservation Reserve Pro- or enhance 500,000 acres of wild- and enhance 2,900 acres of short gram (CRP) conservation practice life habitat through SAFE. FSA and midgrass sand sagebrush titled State Acres For wildlife announced SAFE in March 2007. prairie to maintain and enhance Enhancement (SAFE), also lesser prairie chicken populations known as CP38. Acting Secretary FSA state and/or local offices will in Colorado. This project seeks Conner announced 45 projects, announce sign-up for SAFE in the to enroll lesser prairie chicken covering more than 250,000 near future and conduct sign-up habitat in CRP in two years and to acres, which benefit a wide variety on a continuous (ongoing) basis. begin active management of the of species that are endangered, Through continuous CRP sign- restored acres in year four. The threatened or high priority (spe- up, USDA accepts year-round lesser prairie chicken is an upland cies of concern). This fact sheet producer offers, provided the land grassland nesting bird requiring provides a brief summary of each and producer meet certain eligibil- large tracts of non-fragmented project. ity requirements. Producers can habitat. It is a year-round resi- offer land for enrollment in SAFE dent of short and midgrass sand The United States Department of and other CRP programs at their sagebrush prairie in southeastern Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency local FSA service center. Colorado primarily in portions of (FSA) approved SAFE propos- Baca, Prowers, Kiowa and Chey- als to address state and regional Producers within a SAFE area enne counties. high-priority wildlife objectives. can submit offers to voluntarily SAFE practices provide the flex- enroll acres in CRP contracts for Colorado Plains Sharp-tailed ibility to meet the specific needs 10-15 years (the contract length Grouse SAFE of high-value wildlife species in depends on the SAFE proposal The goal of the Colorado Plains a participating state or region. authorized for the area). In ex- Sharp-tailed Grouse SAFE is to Conservation practices currently change, producers receive annual improve nesting and brood rear- offered under CRP are fine-tuned CRP rental payments, incen- ing cover for plains sharp-tailed through SAFE to improve, connect tives and cost-share assistance grouse (PSTG) populations in or create higher-quality habitat to establish habitat-enhancing northern Colorado through the re- to promote healthier ecosystems natural covers on eligible land. enrollment and enhancement of in areas identified as essential to Producers enrolling in CRP enter existing CRP fields that serve as effective management of high- into contracts with USDA’s Com- critical habitat for the bird’s popu- priority species. SAFE, like other modity Credit Corporation (CCC). lation in the state. The program continuous CRP practices, targets FSA administers CRP on behalf of seeks to enroll up to 1,463 acres CRP acres to the most environ- CCC. of existing grassland habitat in mentally sensitive land and estab- CRP within three years of project implementation. The state recov-

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ery plan for PSTG indicates that grassland bird abundance and canopies close and shade-out the “overriding factor affecting species diversity in regions where ground cover. Without periodic populations in Colorado is habitat the practice is implemented. prescribed burning, fire-intolerant loss due to grassland conversion plant species invade and out-com- to housing developments and, to Colorado Western Slope pete natural early successional a lesser extent, conversion to ag- Grouse SAFE plants. riculture. Heavy grazing reduces The goal of the Colorado Western cover used for nesting. Residual Slope Grouse SAFE is to restore Idaho cover is especially critical, given and enhance habitat for the Colo- the early nesting season.” The ef- rado state species of concern: Idaho Columbian Sharp-tailed fect of these grassland-fragment- Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, Grouse SAFE ing trends has been mitigated to greater sage grouse and Gun- The goal of the Idaho Columbian some extent by the retirement of nison sage-grouse. This project Sharp-tailed Grouse SAFE is cropland into CRP. targets the conversion of cropland to enroll 3,100 acres in CRP to to suitable grass, forb and shrub increase quality grassland, shrub Colorado Shortgrass Prairie species and the enhancement steppe, mountain brush and SAFE and maintenance of expired CRP riparian habitat for the Columbian The goal of the Colorado Short- land to support and benefit at-risk sharp-tailed grouse. The project grass Prairie SAFE is to preserve grouse species. The program seeks to establish, improve or the integrity of and expand the seeks to enroll 5,850 acres in maintain shrubs, grasses, forbs extent of shortgrass prairie re- CRP. Measurable outcomes of and legumes on cropland within serves managed for wildlife spe- this project include the enrollment 1.2 miles of active Columbian cies in eastern Colorado. Project of new cropland and expired CRP sharp-tailed grouse leks. This partners hope to accomplish this into the SAFE project. SAFE effort will also establish or by enrolling 1,463 acres in CRP. improve Columbian sharp-tailed This will be done through the Georgia grouse nesting, brood-rearing and establishment and management winter habitat by creating shrub/ of restored tracts of critical short- Georgia Restoring Native Pine tree thickets within four miles of grass prairie habitats adjacent to Savanna SAFE sharp-tailed grouse leks. Other existing protected grasslands in The goal of the Georgia Restor- wildlife, such as muledeer and up- eastern Colorado counties. The ing Native Pine Savanna SAFE is land game birds, will benefit from program seeks to provide habi- to establish and maintain 4,800 the increased diverse habitats. tat for numerous wildlife species acres of pine savanna habitat dependant upon large tracts of for northern bobwhite and other Illinois intact grassland ecosystems. species that depend on native Measurable outcomes for the groundcover (grass/forb/shrub) Illinois Mercer County SAFE project include: establishment of and are in decline. The project The goal of the Illinois Mercer 1,463 acres of viable native grass seeks to enroll 4,800 acres in County Pheasant SAFE is to stands similar in composition to CRP. Open canopy pine forests increase pheasant habitat within Historic Climax Plant Communi- with diverse native groundcover the county by 500 acres over a ties within five years of program characterize this habitat type. five-year period by enrolling land implementation; development of Periodic prescribed burning in CRP. The project emphasizes management plans for the 1,463 coupled with pine forest thinning the establishment of permanent acres of enrolled tracts such that mimics the natural ecosystem native grasses and forbs that landscape-level grassland eco- processes of this landscape to will also benefit other species of system functions are enhanced create and maintain pine savanna upland wildlife. Through the es- and maintained; and increase habitat. Without thinning, tree tablishment and proper manage- 2 continues Fact Sheet January 2008 State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Approved Projects

ment of native grasses and forbs, are showing nationwide decline. Maine pheasant populations throughout Many species will benefit from this the county are projected to in- project including ruffed grouse, Maine New England Cottontail crease steadily over the five-year American woodcock, field spar- SAFE period. Once the proper habitat row, eastern towhees and indigo The goal of the Maine New Eng- has become fully established, bunting. While some of the plant land Cottontail SAFE project is to pheasant populations in Mercer species will take decades to enroll 250 acres in CRP to restore County will benefit from added mature, an increase in the usage New England cottontail (NEC) brood-rearing and nesting habitat. of the newly established habitat rabbit habitat in York and Cum- by the target species is predicted berland counties in Maine. The Illinois Prairie Habitat SAFE within the first two to three years. historic range of the NEC is esti- The goal of the Illinois Prairie mated to have shrunk by over 83 Habitat SAFE is to restore grass- Iowa Gaining Ground SAFE percent. The NEC is a candidate land and wetland habitats in The goal of the Iowa Gaining for listing under the Endangered upland landscapes occupied by Ground SAFE is to increase popu- Species Act of 1973, and is listed tallgrass prairie and herbaceous lations of ring-necked pheasant, as endangered under the Maine wetlands. Enrolling 20,600 acres dickcissel, bobolink and eastern Endangered Species Act. The in CRP will benefit the Massas- meadowlark by enrolling 19,700 loss of early successional forest, sauga rattlesnake and other acres in CRP. The project seeks thicket and shrubland, especially wetland prairie species such to enhance native plant communi- dense deciduous and coniferous as Kirkland’s watersnake and ties in buffers around and near thickets less than 25 years of age, the northern crawfish frog. The existing remnants of native prairie. is believed to be the main reason project is designed to increase the Enrollment will be targeted to with- for the rabbit’s decline. Increasing abundance of grassland wildlife in three miles of existing protected habitat will make the rabbit less including endangered, economi- wildlife areas or where other plans vulnerable to predation, disease cally significant and declining have identified grassland/wetland or weather events. Additionally, species within highly focused habitats as priorities. This habitat increasing habitat will promote im- project areas and increase op- also will benefit grassland/wet- migration and gene flow between portunity for high quality, wildlife- land mammals, reptiles, insects rabbit populations. The project based recreation. Other benefits and amphibians. The project will will also help bird species known include reduction of soil erosion improve water quality and reduce to be in decline such as the blue- and runoff of sediment, nutrients erosion. winged warbler, American wood- and pesticides from agricultural cock, eastern towhee and golden- fields, improvement of soil quality, Iowa Grand River SAFE winged warbler. increased carbon sequestration The goal of the Iowa Grand River and improved water quality. SAFE is to restore native habitat Maine Upland Sandpiper SAFE for five grassland dependant bird The goal of the Maine Upland Iowa species of greatest conservation Sandpiper SAFE project is to need in the Kellerton Bird Conser- enroll 1,000 acres to develop and Iowa Early Successional/Neo- vation Area in southeast Ringgold maintain nesting and brood-rear- tropical Birds SAFE County. This will be accomplished ing habitat for at-risk grassland The goal of the Iowa Early Suc- by enrolling 4,500 acres of crop- birds and restore or enhance cessional/Neotropical Birds SAFE land or other acreage in CRP to grassland vegetation for upland practice is to enroll 3,500 acres in create higher quality native grass- sandpipers, bobolinks and mead- CRP to develop habitat required lands. owlarks. The combination of by numerous bird species that techniques used in this practice

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should benefit pollinator species tors. These practices will con- pheasants, grasslands have been and other bird species of conser- sist of grasslands which provide identified as among the nation’s vation concern such as eastern diverse sources of nectar and most threatened ecosystems. meadowlark and horned lark. pollen along with bare soil patch- This threat is evident in Minnesota Grassland bird populations such es for ground nesting pollinators. where less than 1 percent of na- as savannah sparrows, grasshop- Bees, butterflies and moths are tive prairie remains. per sparrows, upland sandpipers, among the pollinators that will bobolinks and eastern meadow- benefit. The focus area includes Mississippi larks, have significantly declined 22 Michigan counties along Lake in the Northeast over the last 30 Michigan. Mississippi Black Bear SAFE years because of development, The goal of the Mississippi Black forest succession, certain agricul- Minnesota Bear SAFE project is to enroll tural practices and conversion of 7,950 acres to increase habitat for grasslands to row crops. Minnesota Back Forty SAFE the federally threatened Louisiana The goal of the Minnesota Back black bear and the state-endan- Michigan Forty SAFE project is to enroll gered American black bear. The 23,100 acres to restore and project seeks to restore native Michigan Diverse Grassland enhance habitat for ring-necked bottomland hardwood forests in SAFE pheasant populations. The portions of the Mississippi Alluvial The Michigan Diverse Grassland project seeks to build upon exist- Valley, which has been identified SAFE seeks to enroll 7,500 acres ing habitats to enhance water- as an important zone for black of diverse native grassland within fowl, greater prairie chicken and bear recovery. The conservation five years to benefit a variety of grassland bird populations. The practices will create local habitat rare or declining species and conservation effort is expected conditions favorable to black bear species of significant importance. to benefit bird species such as by planting a mixture of species The project area is the lower pen- Henslow’s sparrow, lark spar- that will provide year-round forag- insula of Michigan. This project row, loggerhead shrike, eastern ing opportunities, escape cover works to plant native grasses, meadowlark, bobolink, dickcissel, and elevated den cavities. On a forbs and oak trees to create vesper sparrow, savannah spar- larger scale, this SAFE project will mosaics of short-grass prairie, row and grasshopper sparrow. help form core habitat and cor- tall-grass prairie and oak sa- Pheasants are an upland nesting ridors. vanna. These and other species bird preferring small blocks of un- will benefit from SAFE: bobolink, disturbed grassland nesting habi- Mississippi Black Belt SAFE eastern box turtle, eastern hog- tat. The pheasant is important The goal of the Mississippi Black nosed snake, eastern wild turkey, both socially and economically. In Belt SAFE is to enroll 2,500 acres grasshopper sparrow, Henslow’s 2006, nearly 130,000 Minneso- in CRP to increase native grass- sparrow, Karner Blue butterfly, tans purchased pheasant stamps, land habitats for rare, threatened, northern bobwhite quail and ring- a license required to hunt pheas- endangered and declining species necked pheasant. ants in Minnesota. Pheasants are in the Black Belt Prairie region of barometers of the environmental Mississippi. The project goal is Michigan Native Pollinators health of Minnesota’s farmlands, to enroll the acreage within three SAFE as their populations ebb and flow years and complete vegetative The goal of the Michigan Native with landowner participation in restoration within two years of Pollinators SAFE is to enroll 2,500 conservation. In addition to be- the contract approval date. By acres of practices over the next ing the primary limiting factor for restoring quality native grassland five years to benefit native pollina- habitats, project partners hope to

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increase and improve habitat for Montana improved prey base. Mule deer, grassland songbirds, pollinator white-tailed deer, pronghorn and insects and other terrestrial and Montana Pheasant Winter many small mammal species will aquatic wildlife. Project partners Cover SAFE also benefit from the cover and will implement bird and butterfly The goal of the Montana Pheas- food base available in the seeded monitoring plans to measure re- ant Winter Cover SAFE is to fields. The project area includes sponses to the conservation prac- enroll 10,000 acres to provide the Prairie Pothole area east of tices. The Black Belt Prairie is blocks of grass or shrub cover the Continental Divide and north listed as one of the most critically for ring-necked pheasant and of the Missouri River. endangered (98 percent decline) other upland birds near existing ecosystems in the nation with less permanent winter cover. The Montana Sagebrush SAFE than 1 percent of the prairie still project seeks to expand habitat The goal of the Montana Sage- remaining. It is the most degrad- for ring-necked pheasant and brush SAFE is to enroll 1,000 ed habitat type in Mississippi and other upland birds by converting acres to restore cropland to sage- Alabama. eligible croplands to grassy cover brush habitat suitable for a variety (grasses, legumes and forbs). of wildlife, including sage grouse Mississippi Bobwhite Quail The habitat will provide a variety and other sagebrush obligate SAFE of needs for ring-necked pheasant birds such as sage sparrow and The goal of the Mississippi Bob- and other upland game birds such sage thrasher. Other sagebrush- white Quail SAFE is to enroll as nesting, brood-rearing, winter associated wildlife will benefit 2,950 acres to increase native roosting and escape cover. The such as sharp-tailed grouse, grey grassland habitats in Missis- SAFE project boundaries include partridge, mule deer, pronghorn sippi for northern bobwhite quail the Montana pheasant range in antelope and small mammals. populations within three years. Richland, Dawson, Roosevelt, The restored habitat will provide By restoring quality native grass- Valley and McCone counties. critical nesting habitats for sage land habitat, the project coopera- grouse breeding and brood-rear- tors hope to increase habitat for Montana Prairie Pothole SAFE ing seasons. It will provide im- bobwhite quail, grassland song- The goal of the Montana Prairie portant winter forage and fawning birds, pollinator insects and other Pothole SAFE is to enroll 7,700 protection for large ungulates, wildlife. Infrastructure is already acres to expand habitat for ducks, escape cover for upland game in place to establish native grass ring-necked pheasant, Hungarian birds and habitat for other small and forb communities in Mississip- (gray) partridge, native sharp- mammal and bird species. pi. To measure species response tailed grouse and neotropical to the conservation practice, birds by supplementing existing Nebraska partners will monitor bird popula- habitat by seeding herbaceous tions for at least three years after vegetation in areas of high wet- Nebraska Tallgrass SAFE fields are enrolled. Because of land densities or that are adjacent The goal of the Nebraska Tall- the historical prominence of bob- to semi-permanent wetlands. grass SAFE is to enroll 11,450 white quail as a game bird, project Establishing blocks of undisturbed acres to expand habitat in the organizers will use the bobwhite cover near wetland and riparian Nebraska’s tallgrass prairie region as a flagship species to promote habitats will benefit numerous for greater prairie chickens. This habitat management for grassland ground-nesting birds including project targets the conversion wildlife in general. Baird’s sparrow and Sprague’s of cropland to suitable blocks of pipit. Raptors, such as the north- perennial herbaceous cover and ern harrier, will benefit from an the retention, and enhancement, of existing blocks of land enrolled

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in CRP. The land will provide all gram will improve water quality ians and reptiles. It will establish habitat needs including nesting, and reduce soil erosion. The permanent native or introduced brood rearing, winter roosting and project area is statewide. cover, reestablish or maintain escape cover for greater prai- existing CRP grassland habitat rie chickens. The land will also North Carolina within two years of the contract benefit a variety of other upland approval date. Native cover will game birds and grassland breed- North Carolina Grassland SAFE consist of grass and forbs known ing songbirds. Diverse mixes of The goal of the North Carolina to be important cover and forage grasses and forbs will provide Grassland SAFE is to enroll 5,600 to the above-mentioned wildlife nesting for a variety of wildlife acres devoted to early succes- species. including game birds (ring-necked sional habitat to benefit several pheasants, wild turkeys) and grassland bird species identified North Dakota Sagebrush SAFE non-game birds of conservation as high-priority. These species The goal of the North Dakota interest in Nebraska (Henslow’s include northern bobwhite, log- Sagebrush SAFE is to enroll sparrow). Acres enrolled in SAFE gerhead shrike, grasshopper 1,000 acres to increase sage will also improve water quality and sparrow, eastern kingbird, eastern grouse populations by restoring reduce soil erosion. meadowlark, common yellow- cropland to sagebrush habitat. throat and field sparrow. Habitat This ecosystem is suitable for Nebraska Upland Birds SAFE restoration will occur in the north- sage grouse and other sagebrush The goal of the Nebraska Upland eastern portion of North Carolina’s birds such as sage sparrow, sage Birds SAFE is to enroll 11,450 upper coastal plain. This area thrasher, sharp-tailed grouse, acres to enhance habitat for up- has been targeted as a focal point grey partridge and mule deer. land wildlife such as upland game for grassland bird conservation The project will increase critical birds, including northern bobwhite efforts. Project partners expect nesting habitats for sage grouse quail and ring-necked pheasant. development of this habitat will breeding and brood-rearing sea- The project seeks the conversion increase the number of targeted sons. Pronghorn antelope and of cropland areas to habitat. For birds during the breeding season small mammals also will benefit. nesting upland game birds and after the third year of establish- The land provides important win- grassland songbirds, patches of ment. Installed practices will im- ter forage and fawning protection habitat are preferred to strips or prove soil and water conservation for large ungulates and escape buffers. Patches of habitat and efforts in the area. cover for upland game birds. One wider buffers (>100 feet wide) are measurable goal of the project is preferred for nesting and have North Dakota to increase the number of sage reduced predation as compared to grouse leks (courtship display narrow strips or buffers enrolled at North Dakota Coteau-Drift SAFE areas). minimum widths (30 feet or less). The goal of the North Dakota Additional wildlife benefits will be Coteau-Drift SAFE project is to North Dakota Tallgrass SAFE achieved by designing patches enroll 20,000 acres in the Missouri The goal of the North Dakota of habitat that incorporate mul- Plateau and Drift Prairie region Tallgrass SAFE is to enroll 6,000 tiple plantings (e.g. nesting cover, to maintain and increase habitat acres to restore cropland to native brood-rearing cover, winter cover), for priority species of waterfowl, tall-grass prairie habitat to main- to better meet the year-round water birds, shorebirds and terres- tain and increase greater prairie needs of wildlife within individual trial birds. The project will restore chicken and sharp-tailed grouse patches of cover. These small and enhance wetlands, and help populations in the project area. areas will also benefit grassland- a variety of mammals, amphib- The project area encompasses breeding songbirds. Additionally, the critical habitat and current acres enrolled in the SAFE pro- 6 continues Fact Sheet January 2008 State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Approved Projects

distribution area of the two re- lands are valuable to mottled contributed to the decline of the maining greater prairie chicken duck, northern bobwhite, Attwater original thornscrub habitat in the populations in North Dakota. The greater prairie chicken, short- Lower Rio Grande Valley. project seeks to establish perma- eared owl, Henslow’s sparrow, Le nent native cover and re-establish Conte’s sparrow, Sprague’s pipit, Texas Mixed Grass SAFE or maintain existing CRP grass- grasshopper sparrow and numer- The goal of the Texas Mixed land habitat within two years of ous other bird species that are Grass SAFE project is to enroll the contract approval date. Native declining or otherwise of special 20,000 acres in CRP to recon- cover will consist of grass and conservation concern. The proj- nect geographically and repro- forb species known to be impor- ect will also help establish a net- ductively isolated populations of tant cover and forage for the two work of large, high quality coastal lesser prairie chickens by creating bird species. prairie habitats with multiple core native mixed grass prairie and areas distributed along at least travel corridors. This project will South Carolina 100 linear miles. Additionally, this increase genetic diversity and aid project will provide alternative in- range expansion among isolated South Carolina Restoring Na- come and land-use opportunities lesser prairie chicken popula- tive Grasses SAFE to agricultural producers in South- tions by establishing habitat and The goal of the South Carolina east Texas that remain unable to native mixed grass/legume cor- Restoring Native Grasses SAFE farm some fields due to elevated ridors from existing crop and is to enroll 2,300 acres to increase soil salinities caused by the Hur- expired CRP lands. These habitat early successional habitat in ricane Rita storm surge. patches are necessary for popu- Allendale, Bamberg and Barn- lation maintenance and expan- well counties to benefit birds in Texas Lower Rio Grande Thorn- sion, safe movement and criti- decline. The project seeks to scrub SAFE cally needed nesting and brood increase habitat within 3-5 years. The Texas Lower Rio Grande rearing. Restoration efforts also The project targets bobwhite quail Thornscrub SAFE seeks to enroll will benefit a large suite of other and songbirds by providing critical 5,000 acres to restore Tamaulipan grassland-dependent species. nesting and brood-rearing habi- thornscrub habitat for the endan- Additionally, restoration efforts tat, as well as a beneficial food gered ocelot and other wildlife will improve water quality and source. The nesting and brood- species. Thornscrub is a habitat quantity contributed to recharging rearing habitat for bobwhite quail type dominated by thorn-covered the Ogallala Aquifer. The project will be comprised of grasses and shrubs and trees that grow in seeks to restore the grass habitat forbs. Turkey, deer and small close proximity to form a thick, al- in five years and reconnect two mammals will also benefit from most impenetrable vegetative lay- geographically isolated popula- this conservation effort. er. Moreover, the few remaining tions within 10 years of inception. patches of thornscrub habitat are Habitat management that includes Texas fragmented. Traversing between prescribed burning, interseeding, these patches of habitat is both or managed haying or grazing will Texas Gulf Coast Prairies SAFE difficult and dangerous for the be critical in maintaining the qual- The goal of the Texas Gulf Coast ocelot. Connecting and expand- ity and usability of this habitat. Prairies SAFE is to enroll 14,400 ing these habitat patches through acres to restore grassland and SAFE will enhance the amount of Virginia shallow water habitats in the Gulf habitat available to the ocelot, al- Coast Prairie region of Texas for lowing them to move more freely. Virginia Culpeper Basin SAFE a variety of bird species. Dur- Row crop and orchard agriculture, The goal of the Virginia Culpeper ing winter and breeding periods, as well as urban sprawl, have Basin SAFE is to enroll 1,000 grasslands and seasonal wet- 7 continues Fact Sheet January 2008 State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Approved Projects

acres to restore habitat for grass others. In addition, many other tree plantings and control inva- and shrubland birds in five years. wildlife and plant species will ben- sive species through various land The project will use native trees, efit from this habitat, especially management techniques. Project shrubs, and warm season grasses in adjacent wetlands, such as organizers hope to increase the to restore grass and shrubland- pitcher plants, tiger salamanders, reproduction and fledging success dependent bird habitats along Mabee’s salamanders, orchids, lil- of bird species that are facing sig- the Rappahannock and Rapidan lies and American chaffseed. The nificant population declines. The Rivers, as well as upland habitat project will also help enhance wa- following neotropical migratory adjacent to their tributaries. The ter quality and to expand the area birds are target species: Acadian project seeks to create wildlife eligible for longleaf pine planting flycatcher, Kentucky warbler, red- corridors of diverse habitats in in Virginia. eyed vireo, scarlet tanager and various stages of succession. wood thrush. Other neotropical The conservation practices will Virginia Rare & Declining Habi- migrants that will benefit include benefit successional species such tats SAFE Swainson’s warbler, eastern as the bobwhite quail, loggerhead The goal of the Virginia Rare & wood-pewee, yellow-billed cuck- shrike, field sparrow and prairie Declining Habitats SAFE project is oo, ruby-throated hummingbird, warbler. It will also benefit imper- to enroll 500 acres to restore mi- great crested flycatcher, barn iled grassland species such as the gratory bird habitat. This project swallow, indigo bunting, purple barn owl, eastern meadowlark, will use native hardwood trees, martin and others. The following Henslow’s sparrow, upland sand- shrubs and grasses to restore birds also will benefit: waterfowl, piper and grasshopper sparrow. and maintain habitats along the pileated woodpecker, bald eagle, The mix of proposed habitat Eastern Shore of Virginia. The heron, cavity nesting ducks, wood restoration will provide for nest- conservation effort will facilitate duck, red shouldered hawk, tufted ing sites, food and cover needs population increases of these spe- titmouse, red-bellied woodpecker, of each of the species, as well as cies on the Eastern Shore within downy woodpecker, northern other wildlife dependent on suc- three years. It will control inva- cardinal and others. In addition, cessional habitats. sive species through various land many other animals will benefit management techniques. The from wider buffers including bea- Virginia Longleaf Pine SAFE following are some of the birds ver, mink and several reptile and The goal of the Virginia Long- that will benefit from this project: amphibian species. leaf Pine SAFE is to enroll 1,000 yellow-billed cuckoo, gray catbird, acres to re-establish longleaf pine wood thrush, Kentucky warbler, Washington stands in more than two dozen willow flycatcher, worm-eating Virginia counties that benefit a va- warbler, red-headed woodpecker, Washington Coastal Roosevelt riety of wildlife. The project seeks scarlet tanager, Carolina chicka- Elk SAFE to increase habitat for red-cock- dee, Cooper’s hawk, red-shoul- The goal of the Washington aded woodpecker, Bachman’s dered hawk, American woodcock Coastal Roosevelt Elk SAFE sparrow and redheaded wood- and yellow-throated vireo. project is to enroll 500 acres to pecker. The SAFE effort will also increase habitat for the declin- benefit the following bird species: Virginia Riparian Buffer SAFE ing Olympic elk herd. Elk herds prairie warbler, American kestrel, The goal of the Virginia Riparian throughout the Olympic Peninsula brown-headed nuthatch, eastern Buffer SAFE is to enroll 1,800 have declined by 30 percent due wood-peewee, blue-winged War- acres to expand riparian forest to increased mortality or de- bler, white-eyed vireo, northern buffers for interior forest and ripar- creased productivity from declin- bobwhite, Carolina chickadee, ian birds, as well as other wildlife. ing habitat quality and quantity. brown thrasher, field sparrow, The project will establish forest Besides increasing habitat, SAFE purple martin, red-tailed hawk and buffers using native hardwood will improve the vegetation for 8 continues Fact Sheet January 2008 State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Approved Projects

elk, improving their health. This big-eared bat, northern alligator result in more favorable habitat will enhance adult and calf sur- lizard and western toad. Native conditions for self-sustaining pop- vival rates and boost the elk butterflies that require plants of ulations of waterfowl, pheasants population. Additionally, multiple the Palouse Prairie would benefit and grassland songbirds. This wetland-dependent bird species, from this project. They include will be accomplished by enroll- many of which are declining, will Boisduval’s blue, Gillette’s check- ing the land in CRP. This SAFE benefit from this project includ- erspot, Sheridan hairstreak, im- will focus on benefiting bobolink, ing shorebirds, swans and other maculate green hairstreak, square eastern meadowlark, grasshopper waterfowl. spotted blue and dun skipper. sparrow, Henslow’s sparrow and Resident upland and big game ring-necked pheasant. Other bird Washington Columbia Basin species such as ring-necked species targeted by the GHRA SAFE pheasant and white-tailed deer project include Le Conte’s spar- The goal of the Washington Co- also will benefit. Establishing row, savanna sparrow, vesper lumbia Basin SAFE project is to buffers around and near existing sparrow, field sparrow, dickcissel, enroll 500 acres to benefit ring- remnants of the Palouse Prairie western meadowlark, Brewer’s necked pheasant and California will benefit rare and threatened blackbird, loggerhead shrike, quail. In addition, the project will plants and the giant Palouse short-eared owl, northern harrier, benefit at-risk species such as the earthworm. sedge wren, Wilson’s phalarope, burrowing owl and Washington upland sandpiper, blue-winged ground squirrel, which are known Washington Shrub-steppe teal and mallard ducks. to inhabit irrigated circle corners SAFE and other unfarmed areas. The goal of the Eastern Wash- Wisconsin Shortgrass SAFE ington Shrub-steppe SAFE is The goal of the Wisconsin Short- Washington Palouse Prairie to enroll 5,200 acres to benefit grass SAFE is to increase Karner SAFE shrub-steppe bird species that Blue butterfly habitat by enrolling The goal of the Washington have declined because of ongo- 1,000 acres of short grass prai- Palouse Prairie SAFE is to en- ing habitat loss and fragmenta- rie. Karner Blue butterfly habi- roll 2,000 acres to improve and tion throughout the West. These tat requires a certain degree of increase Palouse Prairie habitat are at-risk species with federal disturbance to maintain a stable for a variety of wildlife species or state listing status that use the system, particularly for the larva’s by re-establishing diverse stands land in the project area: sharp- sole food source, wild blue lu- of grasses, forbs and shrubs. tailed grouse, sage grouse, sage pine. The project will enhance the Converting cropland to fields and sparrow, sage thrasher and log- understanding of wild blue lupine corridors of permanent native gerhead shrike. The grasshopper establishment, linking Karner Blue plant communities will benefit sparrow, savannah sparrow and butterfly use and occupation with wildlife species, including at-risk Brewer’s sparrow will benefit from short grass prairie restoration and wildlife, such as grassland- and the SAFE project. enhancement in the project area. shrubland-nesting birds, and na- The development of Karner Blue tive pollinators. Many of these Wisconsin butterfly habitat will also positively species are considered at great- affect the soil and water quality of est risk. Among the species that Wisconsin Glacial SAFE the watershed. The permanent would benefit from this SAFE proj- The goal of the Wisconsin Glacial cover resulting from the applied ect are the grasshopper sparrow, SAFE is to establish a mosaic of project practices will enhance the short-eared owl, merlin, Swain- grasslands and wetlands in a pre- soil structure and water infiltration, son’s hawk, savannah sparrow, dominately agricultural landscape while decreasing water runoff. long-billed curlew, Townsend’s by enrolling 2,250 acres. This will

9 continues Fact Sheet January 2008 State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Approved Projects

Wisconsin Southwest Grass- Wisconsin Western Prairie land SAFE SAFE The goal of the Wisconsin South- The goal of the Wisconsin West- west Grassland SAFE is to re- ern Prairie SAFE is to benefit store and maintain 4,000 acres grassland-dependent species of grassland and prairie habitat of greatest conservation need for 14 bird species of greatest (SGCN) by maintaining 2,500 conservation need in Wisconsin. acres of current grassland, while The project boundary is called the establishing new acres of native Southwest Wisconsin Grassland and introduced grasses, and na- Conservation Area. This area tive perennial legumes. Project harbors an extraordinary den- partners expect to provide larger sity of original prairie remnants, blocks of grassland, with smaller, outstanding populations of grass- scattered blocks of grassland land birds and the headwaters of in between to serve as step- numerous rivers. The uncommon ping stones for species move- grassland bird species that will ment. Project partners expect benefit from the SAFE project the range of grassland habitat are bobolink, upland sandpiper, will meet the needs, such as food grasshopper sparrow, short-eared and nesting resources, of several owl, northern harrier, western SGCN. Additionally, this project meadowlark, eastern meadowlark, strives to address priorities within Henslow’s sparrow, vesper spar- Wisconsin’s Wildlife Action Plan row, Bell’s vireo, dickcissel, north- by restoring grassland habitat for ern bobwhite and field sparrow. several uncommon grassland-de- pendent bird species. Monitoring Wisconsin Central Grassland efforts will focus on the following SAFE five species: Henslow’s sparrow, The goal of the Wisconsin Central grasshopper sparrow, upland Grassland SAFE is to enroll 3,000 sandpiper, eastern meadowlark acres to restore native mid-short- and bobolink. grass and wetland habitats for The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) four species of neotropical migrant For More Information prohibits discrimination in all its programs and songbirds: Henslow’s sparrow, activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, grasshopper sparrow, sedge wren For more information about FSA sex, marital status, familial status, parental and bobolink. The project seeks and its conservation programs, status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic in- to improve and increase grass- visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov or formation, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived land/wetland habitat diversity to visit your local FSA service center. from any public assistance program. (Not all complement current CRP wildlife prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Per- sons with disabilities who require alternative habitats. The SAFE will provide means for communication of program informa- nesting, brood-rearing and feed- tion (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should ing habitats for grassland birds. contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint The conservation practice will of Discrimination, write to USDA, Director, provide habitat for other grassland Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence fauna, including threatened and Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 endangered species, in St. Croix (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and southwest Polk counties. and employer. 10