Nearly 1,000 landowners in Nebraska have joined with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through its Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program to restore fish and wildlife habitat on their lands. Through the Partners Program, the Service provides technical and financial assistance to help farmers and ranchers realize their goal of making their land a better place for fish and wildlife while sustaining profitable farming and ranching.
The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program was first implemented in Nebraska in 1991 and has been growing ever since. Since the early 1990's, approximately 1,000 projects have been accomplished, resulting in a substantial amount of habitat restored for Federal trust species (i.e., migratory birds and threatened and endangered species).
In Nebraska, the predominant wetland restoration and enhancement techniques involve restoring the natural hydrology through the blocking of drains, breaking tiles, filling in concentration pits, removing sediment, installing grass buffers, installing fences along stream corridors, and addressing problems throughout the watershed. Wetland enhancement activities include working with the landowners to better manage the wetland through the use of grazing, haying, discing, and burning.
Upland and riparian areas are restored and enhanced through the installation of cross fencing, providing alternative sources of water, and the development of grassland/grazing management plans. Prairie restoration along the central Platte River involves the conversion of cropland to a high diversity mixture (e.g., 100 to 200 species) of local harvested native grasses and forbs.
The Partners Program in Nebraska identifies priorities based on numerous criteria including:
- Habitat loss
- Future threats
- Habitat functions and values
- Benefits to federal trust species
- Land ownership and partners goals and objectives
Contact Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program in Nebraska
Listed as:
Department of Interior - Fish and Wildlife Service Programs
Contact Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program in Nebraska
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
9325 South Alda Road
Wood River, NE 68883
Phone: 308 382-6468, ext 214
Fax: (308) 384-8835