Due to declines in the wildlife populations in Nebraska, the Upper Big Blue NRD and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission cooperate on a program, WILD Nebraska, to develop, manage and enhance wildlife habitat on private land through contracts with landowners.  Cooperating landowners are offered financial assistance for establishing new wildlife habitat areas.  The program is designed to give flexibility to interested landowners to implement land use practices that benefit wildlife, farmers, ranchers and the general public.
 
PROCEDURE

1. Contact the Upper Big Blue NRD office to apply.  Applications are taken year-round.
2. The NRD and the Game and Parks Commission will make an on-site review to determine eligibility and to establish priorities.
3. Final approval will be made by the NRD board of directors.
4. An annual review will be made to ensure compliance.
5. Annual payments will be made on the anniversary dates of acceptance into the program.

ELIGIBILITY
 
WILD Nebraska is designed to create new wildlife habitat from crop ground or to improve existing wildlife habitat.  Existing habitat lands will not be accepted into the program without improvements approved by the funding agencies.  Allowing pedestrian public access, including access for hunting, is the option of the landowner on all acres funded through this program.  If public access is allowed, an additional payment of $3.00 per acre is made for each year of the contract.
 
Flexibility is a hallmark of this program.  Landowners and agency staff have considerable leeway to develop a plan that meets the needs of all parties.  Because of this, each contract will be created specifically for the individual site and goals. WILD Nebraska can do anything that the landowner and all partners agree to do.
 
PAYMENTS
 
A methodology to establish standardized costs has been adopted through WILD Nebraska using the USDA’s published county average costs.  These rates are familiar to landowners and are already managed to be current.  Where county average costs are not available, WILD Nebraska will work with partners to develop reasonable rates.  In cases where annual rental payments are used, the same problem of maintaining current rates exists.  WILD Nebraska’s solution is to use a percentage of the county average CRP rental rates.  Total payments depend on the cost-share percentage and the annual maximum payment for each activity.
 
WILD Nebraska uses a payment system in which landowners receive financial incentives to help them “make a transition” from one level of economic land use to a different income base that provides greater wildlife benefits.  Priorities are set on a statewide basis and include such things as habitat type, public access opportunities, project type (for example, row crop to high diversity grassland), contract length and
regional resource needs.
 
In general, cost-share for management activities is designed to introduce a landowner to a specific wildlife habitat management technique and to encourage its use in the future.  Therefore, reenrollment of sites for additional cost-share benefits for the same activity will generally not be allowed unless special circumstances exist.  Examples include public access or rare or unique habitats.
 
Transition payments will be limited to a maximum of five years.  Following that period, lands will continue to be eligible for development or management activity incentives, but would not be eligible to receive additional transition payments.
 
A payment of $3.00/acre will be made for public access, including hunting, for each year of the contract.
 
The district has a minimum payment policy.  In order to be cost-effective, the district will not issue a check for payment in an amount less than $100.00.  If the estimated cost on an application turns out to be higher than the actual amount and the actual amount to be paid is less than $100.00, the application will be denied and no check will be issued.  If an application results in a payment that would be less than $100.00
consider adding more acres on the application to increase the payment amount.
 
DEVELOPMENT

Development projects are eligible for reimbursement for materials and construction costs.  Cooperators will be reimbursed, up to the specified limit, after submitting bills and invoices to the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District.
 
MANAGEMENT

Management payments will be based on a prescribed management plan. This plan may be modified by mutual consent as conditions warrant.  Payments, will be made to the cooperator after the prescribed management action has been completed.  Payments will be based on actual costs that are adjusted to account for equipment needs and maintenance, labor and risk factors.  If a management activity is not listed in the table, the payment will be established in the contract and mutually agreed to by the Upper Big Blue NRD, the NGPC and the cooperator.  Cooperators will be reimbursed for the amount listed in the table if they do the management themselves, or if they pay someone else to do the management.
 
TRANSITION

These are short-term payments designed to help the landowner transition to an alternate use of the land designed to be more wildlife friendly.  These payments are needed when the alternative use of the land results in uncertainty and a loss of income generating potential, at least in the short-term.  WILD Nebraska alone will not be able to compete economically with conventional agriculture.  Therefore, payments will be targeted to obtain the greatest benefit for wildlife.  When possible, payments will complement the existing land payment programs of our partners, especially the USDA.  Transition payments will be based on a percentage of the county average land rental rates.  Agreements will be either in the form of a contract or an easement.  The decision on whether to use a contract or easement will be based on a number of factors including: cooperator preference, resource value, cost of the activity and length of the agreement.

Grazing Management

• Disking
• Grassland haying and/or shredding
• Grazing management for grassland wildlife
• Herbicide treatment of grasslands
• Inter-seeding established grasslands with legumes and other forbs
• Prescribed burning
• Wildlife shrub planting
• Woody vegetation removal
• Food and cover plot establishment

Grassland Establishment Practices

• Grassland or prairie establishment
• Wildlife shrub planting
• Food and cover plot establishment

Wetland Practices

• Disking
• Drain closure
• Grassland haying and/or shredding
• Prescribed burning (approved by partnership)
• Quick-cycle tail water recovery system installation
• Stream weir installation
• Water control structure installation
• Wetland silt and fill removal
• Wetland vegetation management
• Woody vegetation removal
• Food and cover plot establishment

Wetland Creation Practices

• Drain closure
• Excavation
• Stream weir installation
• Water control structure installation
• Wetland creation
• Food and cover plot establishment

Woodland Practice

• Riparian forest buffers
• Wildlife shelterbelts
• Wildlife shrub planting
• Woody vegetation removal
• Food and cover plot establishment

Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts and Pheasants Forever cooperate on a cost-share program to develop center pivot corners from cropland to wildlife habitat. The goal of the program is to establish permanent wildlife habitat in an area that was not previously habitat. Corners planted with at least 400 trees and shrubs have greatest priority. As such, the use of Eastern Red Cedar will be removed as an option in this program unless the landowner has a specific need for it to be included in the project design. Instead, the emphasis will now be placed on the creation of thickets using native shrubs such as American Plum and Chokecherry.
 
Landowners are responsible for planting trees and shrubs when fewer that 400 trees and shrubs are planted. If 400 or more trees and shrubs are planted, the NRD will plant the trees and shrubs at no cost to the landowner. 
 
A no-till seed drill may be rented from the local Pheasants Forever chapter for $8/acre for Pheasant Forever members or $20/acre for non-members—with a $30 dollar minimum. A $100 deposit is required but will be released if the drill is returned in the same condition as when received. 
 
Contracts funded by grants from The Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund run for five years. 
 
PROCEDURE

1. Contact the district to determine eligibility and develop a plan.
2. File the application with the NRD. The district’s board of directors and Pheasants Forever will accept or deny the application. Applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis.

 
ELIGIBILITY

1. Pivot corners on a four-way road intersection are not eligible.
2. The pivot corner must currently be cropped. Corners already covered in warm-season grass and/or trees are not eligible.
3. For pivot corners planted with trees or shrubs, mechanical or chemical weed removal is required three times each year for the life of the contract.
4. This District will not process a payment of less than $100. Applicants must include enough acreage to ensure that the minimum payment will be at least $100.
5. Two project signs must be posted on each project.

FUNDS AVAILABLE TO COOPERATORS
 

• Cover Practice I - Grasses
  • ​Annual Rate:  $60 per acre
  • Minimum Size:  2.5 acres
  • Contract Term:  5 years
  • Last date for planting:  May 15 (1st year of the contract)
  • Cover:  Numerous grass seed mixtures, contact the NRD for more information
  • Cost-Share Rate:  75%
• Cover Practice II- Trees or Shrubs Added to Cover Practice I
  • Annual Rate:  $100 per acre, total—Planting a selected nesting cover mixture with two shrub plantings that are each 1,500 square feet in size (a total of 534 shrubs) or planting a selected cover mixture with at least 400 shrubs and trees in a traditional row planting up to $75.00 per acre
  • Minimum Size:  1.5 acres
  • Contract Term:  5 years
  • Last date for planting:  May 15 (1st year of the contract)
  • Cover:  400 or more trees or shrubs
  • Cost-Share Rate:  75% on grass and trees; 100% on planting trees; 50% on fabric weed barrier

SOURCES OF FUNDS for Cover Practices I & II

Funding comes from grants obtained by Pheasants Forever from The Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission's “Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program." In addition, services are provided by the NRD and Pheasants Forever. The lease should state if any non-public uses (for example, grazing or farming) will occur within the limits of the lease. NRD approval of the application is not contingent upon state or federal financial assistance. However, the applicant is encouraged to make use of state and/or federal funds whenever possible.

Purposes

• Increase plant diversity and productivity in existing grasslands and wetlands to fulfill life requirements of wildlife and set back plant succession
• Site preparation for inter-seeding

General Concept

Disking can increase diversity by setting back plant succession and improving the structure of grassland and wetland plant communities.  It will allow growth of important broadleaf “wildlife friendly” plants by reducing competition from plants with few wildlife benefits.  Disking can be used to prepare sites for inter-seeding.

Examples

• Disking existing low diversity grass stands (primarily CRP and other planted grasslands) incorporates dead plant material into the soil, promotes new tiller growth into bare areas, splits the crowns of bunch grasses to stimulate growth and reduces competition within sod bound grasses.
• Disking low diversity grass stands provides seed beds for legume or forb inter-seeding.

 
Cost-Share Rate

• Maximum Annual Payment:  $1,000/landowner/year, payment made upon project completion       
• Minimum Payment:  $100
• Management Payment:  Up to 75% of county average cost, payment made upon project completion.  Only one payment per site is allowed unless required in the agreement.
• Public Access Payment:  $3/acre/year for duration of contract
• Minimum Size:  5 acres
• Contract Term:  5 years

   
Requirements and Technical Specifications

Must be part of an approved management plan.  As a general rule, no disking should occur in grasslands between May 1 and August 15 to reduce impacts to wildlife production and improve desired plant growth.  Typically, disking in grasslands should be shallow (2-3 inches) and only disturb approximately one-half of the soil surface. The intensity will vary according to wind and water related soil erosion potential and type of grassland. Tracts in heavy soils with invasive species (like smooth brome) will often require two or more diskings to be effective.  A minimum of 10% of the grassland should be treated at one time with several treatments being rotated over subsequent years.  Disking in wetland communities should be  deep (6-10 inches) and accomplished during dry periods.

Purpose

To restore hydrology to wetlands that have been fully or partially drained
     
General Concept

Many wetlands have been fully or partly drained by ditches, culverts, head-cutting gullies and tiling.  Closure of these drains will result in an increase of wetland acres and also restore, or partially restore, the natural hydrology to the wetland.  The water control activity will often be used in association with this activity.
 
The Seasonal Habitat Improvement Program (SHIP) of the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture is included as part of this activity.  An existing cooperative agreement between the NGPC, USFWS and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is in place to implement this activity in the Rainwater Basin.  The main difference between SHIP and other drain closure projects is that SHIP closes the drainage only during the non-cropping season to provide water bird migration habitat. 
 
During the cropping season, the landowner is allowed to remove the water and crop the site.  In some cases, this activity may be offered outside of the Rainwater Basin.
 
This activity works well when coupled with our partners’ programs.  An example is WRP and some CRP activities where those programs cover a portion of the landowner’s restoration costs and this activity under WILD Nebraska could pay the remaining cost-share.
 
Cost-Share Rate

• Maximum Annual Payment:  $5,000/landowner/year, may exceed with administrative approval, payment made upon project completion
• Minimum Payment:  $100
• Public Access Payment:  $3/acre/year for duration of contract
• Contract Term:  10 or more years

Requirements and Technical Specifications

Commission approved seeding of construction areas will be used as prescribed to provide wildlife habitat and to prevent erosion.

Any excavation as part of the Wetland Creation Practice must be approved by cooperating agencies.
 
Cost-Share Rate

• Maximum Annual Payment:  $5,000/landowner/year, payment made upon project completion
• Minimum Payment:  $100
• Public Access Payment:  $3/acre/year for duration of contract
• Contract Term:  10 years

Purposes

• To provide a readily available winter food source for wildlife
• To provide a lure for wildlife that will attract them into high quality cover
• To provide a relatively safe feeding environment for wildlife
• To provide wildlife cover

General Concept

Food is a strong wildlife attractant and strategic placement of food plots can help to manage wildlife.  However, the term “food plot” is not the best descriptor of this activity.  The term “food and cover” plot better expresses the actual benefits provided.  Although food is rarely a limiting factor for wildlife, it is much safer for wildlife to forage in a food and cover plot than searching for waste grain in a disked field.  An important use of food and cover plots is the  ability to attract resident wildlife species, such as pheasants, into areas with secure winter cover prior to winter.  This complementary activity improves survival and tends to bring wildlife through winter in better physical condition.
 
Examples

Establishment of a multi-species sorghum planting to provide food and cover for wintering pheasants
 
Cost-Share Rate

• Maximum Annual Payment:  Materials only
• Minimum Payment:  $100
• Public Access Payment:  $3/acre/year for duration of contract
• Minimum Size:  3-10 acres
• Contract Term:  1-2 years 

Purposes

• Fulfill life requirements for grassland wildlife by enhancing vegetative structure and composition
• Site preparation for inter-seeding additional forbs and grasses in existing grasslands

General Concept

Haying (removal of vegetative material) and shredding or mowing can be used on grasslands and wetlands to alter the composition of existing plant communities.
 
Altering the timing and extent of haying or shredding can protect ground nesting birds, encourage rare plant species and modify plant diversity, structure and residual cover.
 
Examples

• Alteration of time and extent of haying on sites with known populations of plant species of concern (threatened and endangered species) may enhance survivability.
• Shredding undesirable vegetation may allow more effective herbicide treatment.
• Shredding may curtail encroachment of woody invaders in grassland situations.

Cost-Share Rate

• Maximum Annual Payment:  $500/landowner/year, payment made upon project completion, CRP tracts not eligible
• Minimum Payment:  $100
• Management Payment:  Up to 50% of county average cost if shredded or mowed according to an approved management plan (no harvest allowed), payment of $10/acre if timing of haying operation substantially altered according to an approved management plan.
• Public Access Payment:  $3/acre/year for duration of contract
• Minimum Size:  5 acres
• Contract Term:  5 years

Requirements and Technical Specifications

Must be part of an approved management plan.  No more than 30% of grassland tract can be hayed annually except when used as a timing alteration specified in the approved management plan.  This activity must occur between July 15 and April 1 to minimize impacts to ground nesting birds.  Shredding on CRP is not eligible for payment.

Purposes

• Fulfill life requirements for grassland wildlife
• Establish border plantings in ag systems
• Restore native grassland communities to the greatest extent possible

 
General Concept—Native Plantings

These are intended to restore native grassland communities and should include a diverse mixture of grasses, sedges and forb species.  Seed mixtures for native grass and forb plantings should be representative of local native prairies.  For example, tall grass prairie species should be planted in the tall grass prairie region of eastern Nebraska and mixed grass species should be planted in the mixed-grass prairie region of central and western Nebraska.  Such seed mixtures will provide the best habitat for native wildlife species.  Where available and practical, local ecotypes (varieties native to the local area) should be used in plantings.
 
Introduced or Native Grasses with Legumes

Without nesting cover, other management practices for ground nesting bird species with high population turnovers are not very effective.  Cool season grasses with a strong legume component, also known as Dense Nesting Cover (DNC), can be very important habitat for pheasants and other ground nesting birds. Combinations of various different types of  herbaceous vegetation provide excellent diversity and structure and are used by many species of grassland wildlife throughout the year.

Legumes Only

Legumes can provide excellent nesting cover and brood rearing cover for grassland birds, especially pheasants.  Legumes are also excellent insect producers (protein source), which enhances brood survival.
 
All of the above are applicable in block plantings.
 
Introduced and native grasses with legumes and legume seedlings are applicable in strip-plantings such as field borders.
 
Examples

• Prairie restoration projects
• Conversion of cropland to grasslands

Cost-Share Rate

• Maximum Annual Payment:  $2,500/landowner/year, payment made upon project completion
• Minimum Payment:  $100
• Development Payment:  Up to $80/acre for seed costs, $15/acre for ground preparation and seedling
• Management Payment:  Up to 100% of cost of selected herbicide costs if implemented according to an approved management plan, payment of $10/acre for application if implemented according to an approved management plan, may be eligible for payment after fifth year of contract.
• Transition Payment:  Up to 80% of county average annual rental rate for up to 5 years, payments not applicable if grazing or haying implemented
• Public Access Payment:  $3/acre/year for duration of contract
• Minimum Size:  5 acres
• Contract Term:  5 years—introduced native grasses with legumes and legumes only; 10 years—native plantings

 
Requirements and Technical Specifications:  Native Plantings

Restore native grassland communities to the greatest extent possible according to an approved plan. Enrollments of lands with high diversity plantings that are intended to restore or provide buffer for native prairies are the primary targets.  A minimum guideline is to include five or more native grasses and two or more native forbs with the forb component to represent at least 30% of the seed mixture.  Prairie restoration projects are to include eight or more native forbs.  Where existing grass cover occurs (for example, smooth brome), seed bed preparation will require elimination of existing vegetation by disking, plowing or chemical treatment.  In addition, cover-cropping and repeated tillage operations may be necessary to eliminate existing persistent vegetation.  On crop fields, seed bed preparation may not be necessary and seeds may be planted directly into residue.  Mowing, grazing, burning and/or other activities may be used to manage the grassland after establishment.  If noxious weed control is needed, it must be accomplished by spot mechanical treatment or spot chemical spraying.

Introduced or native grasses with legumes

The seed mixture must include two or more grasses and one or more legumes.  Either  introduced or native, warm or cool season grasses are acceptable.  Smooth brome, reed canary grass, crested wheat grass, or Garrison creeping foxtail are not acceptable. Switchgrass cannot comprise more than 20% of the grass component.  Seed mixture must include a minimum of 30% legumes.  If plant materials are known to be invasive in the project area, alternate plant materials should be used. 
 
Legumes Only

The seed mixture may contain a single species of legume or combination of two or more species.  If plant materials are known to be invasive in the project area, alternate plant materials should be used. 
 
Grazing, haying and/or burning may be an applicable management activity after the first three years of the contract.  If noxious weed control is needed, it must be accomplished by spot  mechanical treatment or by spot chemical spraying.
 
Lands enrolled into this activity will be accepted on a case-by-case basis following an inspection and planting plan. 

Purposes

• Manage grassland and/or wetland ecosystems to fulfill life requirements for wildlife
• Demonstrate quality grassland stewardship emphasizing mutual benefits to wildlife and livestock production
• Enhance native grassland by increasing plant species composition and structure

General Concept
The objective of this activity is to create a more desirable landscape with a mosaic of grassland habitats.  Planned grazing can be a viable management tool that can maintain productive grasslands and enhance habitat conditions for wildlife.  Other associated plant community management activities, such as haying, prescribed burning and herbicide use, may be integral to a stewardship plan. Through partnerships in the planning process, ranchers and conservation agencies can reach consensus on a stewardship plan to adequately meet each of their objectives. Under a good stewardship plan, improvements in plant species composition and improved structure can be expected, resulting in improved wildlife habitat conditions.  Long-term whole ranch planning is a preferred strategy for this activity because of greater benefits realized on a large scale, but smaller units may be considered under some circumstances.  Cost-share is available for fencing and/or other selected activities.
 
Encroachment of native grassland by exotic invasive species such as smooth brome and Kentucky bluegrass can reduce habitat quality for grassland-dependent wildlife.
 
Reduction of these invasive exotics, resting overgrazed grasslands and other grassland management practices can fulfill necessary wildlife production and winter cover requirements. In the case of introduced grass and legume tracts, management strategies will encourage plant diversity with particular emphasis on the increase or retention of legume components.  Cost-share is available for fencing and other grassland management practices.
 
Examples

• Cross-fencing large pastures to improve grazing systems and provide rested pastures and  residual cover for wildlife
• Fencing out important wildlife features to better manage grazing on those sites
• Replacing invasive species with native plant mixtures
• Managing timing and intensity of grazing in introduced grass/legume situations to encourage a minimum of two grasses and 25% legume component

Cost-Share Rate

• Maximum Annual Payment:  $2,500/landowner/year (some exceptions possible), payment made upon project completion
• Minimum Payment:  $100
• Development Payment:  Based on county average cost for materials (fencing, water sources, etc.) depending on other available funding and wildlife habitat benefits received.  Payment made upon project completion.
• Management Payment:  May be eligible for management payment for other grassland activities benefiting wildlife
• Public Access Payment:  $3/acre/year for duration of contract
• Minimum Size:  5 acres
• Contract Term:  10 years

Requirements and Technical Specifications
Develop a stewardship plan in cooperation with the landowner and other partners that will benefit wildlife and address shared objectives.  The plan should include vegetative inventories, wildlife and livestock objectives, management strategies (for example, fencing, water needs),  funding sources and development of a cooperative agreement.  If noxious weed control is needed, the landowner must use mechanical means or spot applications of herbicides.

Purposes

• Minimize adverse effects of broad-scale herbicide treatments on sites with known state or federally listed threatened and endangered plant species
• Retain or increase diversity of existing plant communities necessary to fulfill life requirements of wildlife
• Site preparation for seeding or inter-seeding

General Concept
Use of herbicides can be a significant factor affecting plant diversity in plant communities. Nebraska statutes require control of listed noxious weeds.  Herbicides can be the control activity of choice in many situations.  Broad-scale applications of herbicides can result in almost complete loss of many forb species, including threatened and endangered species such as the western prairie fringed orchid.  Careful applications of proper herbicides on plant communities can minimize adverse effects on non-target plants.  Proper use of selected herbicides can be a valuable tool in controlling invasive plants and for setting back succession of existing undesirable vegetation.
 
Examples

• Spot spraying with a narrow-range herbicide on leafy spurge in a wet meadow site with population of western prairie fringed orchids.
• Use of Roundup® on field of smooth brome to allow early successional plants to re-establish.

Cost-Share Rate

• Maximum Annual Payment:  $500/landowner/year, payment made upon project completion
• Minimum Payment:  $100
• Management Payment:  Up to 100% of cost of selected herbicide costs if implemented
• according to an approved management plan, payment of $10/acre for application if implemented according to an approved management plan
• Public Access Payment:  $3/acre/year for duration of contract
• Minimum Size:  5 acres
• Contract Term:  5 years

Requirements and Technical Specifications
Herbicide applications must be a part of an approved grassland management plan.  This management plan must include specific name, rate, timing and method of chemical application, target species and affected important plant community and/or rare species.  Blanket or whole field applications will not be acceptable unless part of a grassland renovation project.

Purposes

• Fulfill life requirements for upland game and other grassland wildlife
• Enhance native grasslands by increasing plant species composition and diversity

 
General Concept
Existing grasslands in many instances may be dominated by a single species or only a few species of grass with relatively few forbs. Such areas do not provide the habitat requirements necessary to sustain many wildlife populations. Forbs support an additional array of insect species and provide a forage and seed source for wildlife. Forbs (including legumes) and other grasses can be introduced into grassland by various methods.  Only native species should be inter-seeded into native prairies. Alfalfa and sweet clover are the most commonly used legumes and can be used statewide on non-native grasslands.
 
Methods of seeding forbs and grasses include: (1) light disking, drilling or broadcasting and harrowing; (2) drilling directly into sparse grass stands; or (3) drilling into recently burned or chemically treated tracts.  Broadcasting followed by short-term, high intensity grazing may also be acceptable. Methods are site specific and will vary according to location, soils and type of existing grass stands.
 
Examples

• Inter-seed introduced, cool season grass or switch grass stands with alfalfa, sweet clover and/or red clover
• Inter-seed native grass stands with native forbs

Cost-Share Rate

• Maximum Annual Payment:  $2,500/landowner/year (some exceptions possible), payment made upon project completion
• Minimum Payment:  $100
• Development Payment:  Up to 100% of seed costs and up to 100% of county average costs for site preparation - maximum of $10/acre
• Public Access Payment:  $3/acre/year for duration of contract
• Minimum Size:  5 acres
• Contract Term:  5 years

Requirements and Technical Specifications
A site development plan must be prepared for each project. In most instances, mechanical disturbance or chemical applications must occur prior to seeding. In smooth brome stands, a minimum of 90% reduction in grass cover is required prior to inter-seeding. Seed mixtures to be inter-seeded into nonnative grasslands must include at least two or more legumes consisting of alfalfa, red clover, sweet clover and/or hairy vetch. Alfalfa should be a dryland, rhizomatous variety and sweet clover should be used in conjunction with a perennial legume. Red clover may be used in the eastern half of the state and in wetter sites. Hairy vetch is suitable in sandy soils. A minimum of two pounds of introduced legumes, in any combination, should be seeded per acre.  Native, unbroken grasslands must be inter-seeded only with native forbs or grasses. Inter-seeded legumes or native forbs must comprise a minimum of 30% of full seeding rate. CRP-MAP tracts are not eligible for payment under this activity.

Purposes

• Improve plant composition and structure of existing plant communities to fulfill life requirements of wildlife
• Control of woody plant invaders
• Site preparation for inter-seeding

General Concept
Fire has played an integral part in the development and maintenance of grasslands and other plant communities in the Great Plains.  Through technical assistance, landowners can be provided the necessary information to conduct safe and effective burns and will be better informed of the benefits of prescribed burning.
 
Many private landowners lack the necessary equipment and information to conduct prescribed  burns.  WILD Nebraska may provide cooperators with drip torches and other tools on loan at no cost along with necessary information to conduct safe and effective burns.
 
Examples

• Spring or fall burning to control or suppress cool season grasses in native grasslands and facilitate release of warm season grasses and forbs
• Burning to prepare site for inter-seeding grasses and forbs into existing grasslands
• Burning, in conjunction with hydrologic manipulation, to suppress undesirable vegetation in wetland ecosystems
• Burning to retard encroachment of woody plants into grasslands, wetlands and savannas and remove litter accumulation and undesired invasive species in forest understory

Cost-Share Rate

• Maximum Annual Payment:  $1,000/landowner/year, payment made upon project completion.
• Minimum Payment:  $100.
• Management Payment: 
  • burns of 5-20 acres - up to $100
  • burns of 21 to 80 acres - $250
  • burns of 81-160 acres - $50
  • burns of 161-320 acres - $750
  • burns over 321 acres - $1,000
  • [Payment will be made upon project completion.  Only one payment per site is allowed unless required in the agreement.]
• Transition Payment:  may be eligible for a payment if grazing deferment is necessary to provide adequate fuel load
• Public Access Payment:  $3/acre/year for duration of contract
• Minimum Size:  5 acres, no limit for equipment loan or technical assistance
• Contract Term:  5 years, site eligible for payments normally only once in a five-year contract

Requirements and Technical Specifications
A management plan detailing prescribed burns must be prepared by a resource professional for each site.

Purpose
To the fullest extent possible, restore and/or maintain the natural hydrology of wetlands by encouraging the use of quick-cycle, tail-water recovery systems.
 
General Concept
In Nebraska’s Rainwater Basin and elsewhere, pits have been dug in and near wetlands to make these areas more suitable for cropping.  Because most pits capture water during the entire year, the natural hydrology of the wetland is usually interrupted.  By providing financial incentives to install quick-cycle, tail-water recovery systems, cooperators may be able to fill existing pits.    

The quick-cycle works like a sump pump.  Excess water from irrigation is directed into a small earthen pit or tank.  A pump, switched on by a float returns the excess water to the irrigation system resulting in increased efficiency.  In the absence of a larger volume pit, runoff from precipitation reaches the wetland at a higher rate.  Quick-cycle systems can also benefit wetlands by directing irrigation tail-water away from a wetland to facilitate natural draw-down processes.  Pit closure or pit filling or some other type of hydrologic modification must accompany this activity.
 
Examples
Several quick-cycle pumps have been installed in the Rainwater Basin.  In each case either an existing pit was filled or a new pit was not constructed resulting in significant benefits to the wetland resource.
 
Cost-Share Rate

• Maximum Annual Payment:  $5,000/landowner/year, may exceed with administrative approval, payment made upon project completion
• Minimum Payment:  $100
• Development Payment:  Up to 50% of the cost of supplies and materials, may exceed with administrative approval, payment made upon project completion. 
• Public Access Payment:  $3/acre/year for duration of contract
• Contract Term:  10 or more years

Requirements and Technical Specifications
System should be designed to capture irrigation tail-water and allow most precipitation runoff to enter the wetland.  Cost of return lines is not eligible.

Purpose
To restore or establish native woody species including trees, shrubs, vines, etc., along seasonal and permanent drainages to enhance wildlife habitat diversity within the landscape.
 
General Concept
This activity will be combined exclusively with USDA programs, primarily continuous CRP, or possibly the Nebraska Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Districts’ Nebraska Buffer Strip Program which includes riparian forest buffer restoration and establishment.  The intent of this activity is to encourage cooperators to increase the width of enrolled buffers and to select native woody species that provide the greatest benefit to wildlife.
 
A mixture of short- and long-lived tree and shrub species that produce mast or browse is preferred.  The potential to restore or establish riparian forest buffers exists along many drainages across Nebraska, especially in the eastern and southern parts of the state.  Riparian  areas serve as key wildlife habitats in the life requisites of a majority of wildlife species found in Nebraska.  These wooded corridors, though often narrow, are vitally important for nesting, loafing and escape cover and also provide a variety of foods for wildlife.  In many cases, these woodlands may have been removed intentionally to expand cropland areas or have been degraded due to overgrazing, flooding, erosion, etc.

Opportunities may exist to promote riparian forest buffers and riparian filter strips within priority watersheds in Nebraska.  A partnership between NGPC and Pheasants Forever, called the Nebraska Buffers Partnership, has been formed to facilitate identification and enrollment of lands into the continuous sign up of the Conservation Reserve Program.  This process uses one-on-one contacts with landowners and provides landowners with enrollment assistance.

Cost-Share Rate

• Maximum Annual Payment:  $2,500/landowner/year
• Minimum Payment:  $100
• Development Payment:  Up to 100% of the cost of materials and installation, payment made upon completion of project.  Cost-share will be provided at a rate not to exceed 25% of the county average costs (or actual costs if less) for all components eligible for cost-share under the Riparian Forest Buffer practice of the continuous provision of the CRP offered by USDA.  For sites that do not qualify for CRP, such as “three-dot drains”, but do not qualify for the Nebraska Buffer Strip Program, cost-share may be provided at a rate of up to 75% the county average costs (or actual cost if less).
• Seedling planting site preparation:  Up to 100% of county average cost or actual costs, if less
• Weed control:  No cost-share on mechanical weed control (shredding) between rows except the removal of competitive grass cover may be cost-shared on a case by case basis. 
• Weed barrier fabric and installation:  50% of county average cost (or actual, if less)
• Replants:  100% of seedling cost only if survival is less than 75%, provided twice during first five years, cooperator installs seedlings
• Transition Payment:  Only for conversion from cropland to riparian buffer, will not apply to sites enrolled in CRP or other programs providing an annual land use payment.
• Public Access Payment:  $3/acre/year for duration of contract.
  • Minimum Size: 1-5 acres
  • Contract Term:  10-15 years concurrent with USDA contract and as specified in the cooperative agreement

Requirements and Technical Specifications
To qualify for cost-share, the buffer must be a minimum of 66-feet wide.  Composition of the species planted can include no more than 10% conifers (for example, red cedar) and no less than 30% native shrubs.

Purposes

To stop or reverse streambed degradation that negatively impacts wetlands.
 
General Concept

Many streambeds in Nebraska have become severely degraded.  Degradation occurs when a stream cuts at an unnaturally accelerated rate, forming an incised channel with steep banks.  A highly degraded stream affects wetlands by isolating them from over bank flood flows, by potentially lowering ground water levels across the floodplain and by allowing the development of erosive gullies that drain adjacent wetlands.  Stopping degradation ensures that the wetlands on the floodplain will not become further isolated from ground water or over-bank water sources.  Reversing degradation helps to restore wetlands by reconnecting them with ground water and over bank water sources.  This activity will often be paired with the Drain Closure (see tab above) activity where floodplain head cuts (erosive gullies draining wetlands) are plugged.
 
Cost-Share Rate

• Maximum Annual Payment:  $5,000/landowner/year, may exceed with administrative approval, payment made upon project completion
• Minimum Payment:  $100
• Development Payment:  Up to 50% of the cost of supplies and materials, may exceed with administrative approval, payment made upon project completion
• Public Access Payment:  $3/acre/year for duration of contract
• Contract Term:  20 or more years 

Requirements and Technical Specifications

Approval of final plans by a registered professional engineer is needed for these projects. Natural Heritage Program and Fisheries Division staff at the NGPC will review these projects to ensure that the movement of aquatic life is not impaired.

Purpose

• To facilitate wetland restoration
• To maintain the productivity of the wetland by effectively managing water levels

General Concept

Wetland plant and animal communities are well adapted to the wet and dry cycles that wetlands undergo.  However, the hydrology of many wetlands has been altered to the point that the  natural wet and dry cycles no longer occur.  When this is the case, it is often necessary to provide for water control to restore the wetland or to maintain the productivity of the wetland. This activity will usually be paired with the Drain Closure (see tab above) activity.
 
Cost-Share Rate

• Maximum Annual Payment:  $5,000/landowner/year, may exceed with administrative approval, payment made upon project completion
• Minimum Payment:  $100
• Development Payment:  Up to 50% of the cost of supplies and materials, may exceed with administrative approval, payment made upon project completion
• Public Access Payment:  $3/acre/year for duration of contract
• Contract Term:  10 or more years

Requirements and Technical Specifications

This activity is only applicable for development of shallow water wetlands (average depth of less than 2.5 feet).  This activity will not be used to cost-share on deep-water projects (for example, lakes and fishponds).
 

Purpose

To create wetlands for the benefit of wildlife

General Concept

Although wetland creation is not a priority of this program, there are instances in which creations can replace wetlands that have been drained or to complement the functions of existing wetlands.  Creation, most often, is accomplished through excavation or by construction of a dam.  This activity will generally be paired with one of the other wetland activities.
 
Cost-Share Rate

• Maximum Annual Payment:  $5,000/landowner/year, may exceed with administrative approval, payment made upon project completion
• Minimum Payment:  $100
• Development Payment:  Up to 50% of the cost of supplies and materials, may exceed with administrative approval, payment made upon project completion
• Public Access Payment:  $3/acre/year for duration of contract
• Contract Term:  10 or more years 

Requirements and Technical Specifications

A wetland will not be created in an area where it will degrade existing wetlands or other unique natural communities.  This activity is intended to emphasize shallow water habitat for wildlife.  It is not intended for development of fisheries habitats.  Creation of fish ponds will not be allowed under this activity.

Purposes

• To restore wetlands in areas that were filled and leveled
• To remove silt and sediment washed into wetlands in order to restore original basin profile, depths and hydrology
• To remove invasive plant species and expose native plant seed banks
• To create varying water depths within the wetland and provide habitat diversity

 
General Concept

Many wetlands throughout the state have been filled (with soil, etc.) and leveled.  Other wetlands  have been severely impacted by removal of perennial vegetation from the watershed leading to the deposition of silt into the wetland.  The highly accelerated rate of silt deposition leads to an alteration of wetland hydrology and can result in the establishment of invasive plants such as hybrid cattail, reed canary grass and river bulrush, all of which out compete more desirable plants.  Also, silt buries the seed bank of desirable plant species preventing germination.  It also acts as a sponge, absorbing water and making it unavailable to wildlife, and has a leveling effect, creating a wetland with a nearly flat bottom that eliminates the micro topography that provides habitat diversity.  This activity must be accompanied by a prescribed vegetative buffer and/or silt trap.
 
Cost-Share Rate

• Maximum Annual Payment:  $5,000/landowner/year, may exceed with administrative approval, payment made upon project completion
• Minimum Payment:  $100
• Development Payment:  Up to 50% of the cost of supplies and materials, may exceed with administrative approval, payment made upon project completion
• Public Access Payment:  $3/acre/year for duration of contract
• Contract Term:  10 or more years

Requirements and Technical Specifications

Wetlands that have been filled and leveled, as well as wetlands from which silt is to be removed, will need to have a depth of fill/silt and a topographic survey conducted to determine how much material should be excavated.  Care must be taken when excavating in “perched” wetlands (such as Rainwater Basins and other playa wetlands) so that the clay seal underlying the area is not breached, allowing water to seep away.  A vegetated buffer and/or silt trap will almost always accompany this activity.

Purpose

To manage, enhance and restore native wetland plant communities to benefit wildlife.
 
General Concept
Because wetlands occupy a continuum between wet and dry conditions, they undergo a variety  of unique changes both seasonally and from year-to-year.  Wetlands under natural conditions go dry and then flood, are burned by prairie fires and are subjected to other disturbances such as grazing.  These are natural processes that do not harm the wetland.  In fact, it is the interaction of all of these dynamic processes that make wetlands so productive.  If some of these processes are altered, for example, by maintaining a constant water level or the exclusion of a vegetative disturbance, such as fire, the wetland habitat will actually begin to deteriorate.
 
Many wetlands have been impacted, either due to the removal of natural disturbances or because proper management has not been prescribed.  Examples of prescribed management techniques that may be applied under this activity include burning, grazing, haying, disking, shredding, spraying, water level changes, seeding and tree removal.  Specific examples are not provided because each wetland and situation is unique.  Management will be prescribed based upon site conditions and biological justification.  These activities apply to the wetland only, however, they may be paired with other grassland or woodland management activities as appropriate.
 
Cost-Share Rate

• Maximum Annual Payment:  $5,000/landowner/year, may exceed with administrative approval, payment made upon project completion
• Minimum Payment:  $100
• Development Payment:  Up to 50% of the cost of supplies and materials, may exceed with administrative approval, payment made upon project completion
• Public Access Payment:  $3/acre/year for duration of contract
• Contract Term:  5 or more years

Requirements and Technical Specifications

The cooperator will follow a NGPC approved management plan for the term of the contract.

General Concept

Wildlife shelterbelts provide a multitude of benefits for many game and non-game species of wildlife.  Shelterbelts primarily provide winter and escape cover, but also provide nesting cover, brood rearing cover, food and loafing sites.
 
Over the past several decades, shelterbelt numbers have been on a steady decline due largely to  agricultural development.  This activity is designed to replace some of that loss.  The activity will develop new shelterbelts and restore existing ones.  This activity will not be used to establish farmstead or feedlot windbreaks.  Other programs exist that provide cooperators adequate financial assistance for their establishment.
 
Various combinations of red cedar, rocky mountain juniper and a variety of locally adapted native shrubs will be used.  The use of exotic species is prohibited.  Shrub species that provide winter and escape cover as well as food will be emphasized.  The planting of red cedar in central  and eastern parts of the state should be scrutinized due to the potential for “pioneering” into areas where they are not wanted.

Cost-Share Rate

• Maximum Annual Payment:  $2,500/land owner/year
• Minimum Payment:  $100
• Development Payment:  Up to 100% of the cost of materials and installation, payment made upon project completion.
  • Seedling planting site preparation:  Up to 80% of county average cost or actual costs, if less
  • Weed control:  No cost-share on mechanical weed control (shredding) between rows except the removal of competitive grass cover may be cost-shared on a case by case basis
  • Weed barrier fabric and installation:  50% of county average cost (or actual, if less). Replants:  100% of seedling cost, provided twice during first five years, cooperator installs seedlings
• Transition Payment:  Only for conversion from cropland to wildlife habitat, will not apply to sites enrolled in CRP or other programs providing an annual land use payment
• Public Access Payment:  $3/acre/year for duration of contract
• Minimum Size:  2 acres (includes belt plus herbaceous and shrub cover)
• Contract Term:  10 or more years.

Requirements and Technical Specifications

The site must contain an area of herbaceous cover (undisturbed, quality nesting-loafing-roosting-cover) equal in size to the wildlife shelterbelt planting and not less than 66-feet wide located on the leeward side of the shelterbelt.  This cover maybe hayed (or shredded) after July 15th up to twice every five years to maintain habitat quality.

The site must also contain two shrub thickets a minimum of 100-feet long and 20-feet wide per two-acre “plot” (belt plus herbaceous cover) located on the leeward side of the shelterbelt.

The wildlife shelterbelt must contain a minimum of three rows (recommended 20-foot spacing between rows) using any combination of red cedar, rocky mountain juniper and native shrub species.

The site must be protected from livestock and tillage encroachment.  Fencing will be required for sites exposed to livestock.  A single shrub row will be used to delineate herbaceous cover boundaries on sites located adjacent to tilled cropland.

All vegetation between the rows will remain undisturbed (except to control noxious weeds).  The planting of food/cover plot seed between the rows will be encouraged during the first five years following wildlife shelterbelt establishment on sites converted from cropland.

Sites with obvious noxious weed problems will not be enrolled. Should noxious weeds become a problem, the producer will be responsible for their control.  Weed control will be limited to spot treatment by mechanical or chemical means. 

Purpose

To remove all invasive trees, shrubs and other woody vegetation from grasslands and prairie wetlands that are negatively impacted by their presence
 
General Concept

In the absence of natural or artificial disturbances such as fire, grazing, or haying, undesirable woody plants often invade grasslands and prairie wetlands.  This transition to woodland habitat often contributes to the decline of important grassland and prairie wetland habitats and their associated wildlife species.  In addition, woody plant invasion can result in a loss of ecosystem function through secondary affects, such as stream channel degradation in braided channel riparian systems and wetland water loss on clay lined playa wetlands.  Removing woody vegetation and incorporating management activities to reduce the threat of re-invasion can restore valuable wildlife habitat at a specific seral stage while maintaining ecosystem function.

This activity is intended to enhance wildlife habitat for target species.  It is not intended to specifically enhance livestock grazing, although it may occur as an associated benefit.
 
  Examples

• Tree removal on and along the central Platte River has restored important roosting and feeding habitat for waterfowl, Sandhill Cranes, shorebirds and the endangered Whooping Crane.  By removing woody vegetation, sandbars and islands can be destabilized allowing stream flows to naturally scour vegetation.
• Tree removal from Rainwater Basin wetlands can reclaim these wetlands for water birds and will restore the hydrologic balance by reducing losses through evapo-transpiration and root channel drainage.
• Removal of red cedar, Siberian elm and other woody species from existing tall and mixed grass prairie can assist in maintaining the integrity of these habitats.

Cost-Share Rate

• Maximum Annual Payment:  $2,500/landowner/year
• Minimum Payment:  $100
• Development Payment:  Up to 100% of the cost of materials and installation, payment made upon completion of project.  The cost of tree removal can vary widely due to amount of woody vegetation present and other conditions such as soil type, slope, etc. Sites will be evaluated in accordance with cost estimates to determine an acceptable cost-benefit ratio. The actual dollar per acre amount paid is site specific and will be determined on a case-by-case basis
• Management Payment:  Made upon completion of project or can be made in portions based on progress of the project
• Transition Payment:  Only if approved by NGPC
• Public Access Payment:  $3/acre/year for duration of contract
• Minimum Size:  1 acre (wetlands), 5 acres grassland
• Contract Term:  10 years

Requirements and Technical Specifications

On sites such as the central Platte River and most Rainwater Basin wetlands, removal via heavy equipment is the most efficient method.  Shallow-rooted trees can be pushed over, piled up and burned.  The US Army Corps of Engineers should be contacted prior to beginning project.
 
On grassland sites, trees such as red cedar, can be cleared using a custom tree sheers.  Harvested trees can be piled up and burned or placed in brush piles along an established edge.  Stumps of trees that have the potential to re-sprout, such as Siberian Elm, should be treated with herbicide to prevent re-sprouting.
 
Must be used in conjunction with a management activity to control future encroachment by woody species.

Purposes

• To provide information to assist in the establishment of backyard wildlife habitat
• To facilitate and enhance the experience of enjoying wildlife

General Concept

This practice is currently supported through technical assistance only.  There are many resources available to assist homeowners and hobby farmers in developing habitats that attract and benefit various wildlife.  In time, this practice may include some development and management funds.
 

Examples
Identification of aesthetically pleasing, native plants to be used as wildlife attractants for home viewing.

 
Cost-Share Rate

Maximum Annual Payment:  No payment
 
Requirements and Technical Specifications

Technical assistance only