In the western Great Plains, private lands biologists (also called Farm Bill biologists and technical assistance providers) play a critical role in habitat conservation by matching landowners with suitable conservation programs that best fit the landowners’ personal habitat and land-use goals. Since 97 percent of the land in this region is privately owned, conservation must happen on private lands, making ranchers and farmers important conservation partners in restoring habitat and maintaining large blocks of unbroken prairie.
Biologists meet with landowners one-on-one, listen to their needs and concerns, and find the best program for each situation. They inform ranchers and farmers about the benefits of conservation programs, such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and assist landowners after the programs have been implemented. Farm Bill conservation programs can be very complex. But the biologists work with these programs every day; they will have ideas on which program will best fit with landowner objectives.
Contact Rox Hicks
Listed as:
Federal And State Agency Landowner Specialists
Contact Rox Hicks
WLCI Biologist
Partners for Fish and Wildlife - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1565 Hwy 150 Suite A
Evanston, WY 82931
Phone: 307-383-7860