Many private land owners in our area actively manage for wildlife and forest products. However, the improvement or management of these resources can be cost prohibitive.
The United States Department of Agriculture has several programs available for financial assistance by private landowners interested in natural resource improvements on their land. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program is one such program.
EQIP assists agricultural, and forest landowners to reduce pollution and improve natural resources. Through financial and technical assistance, EQIP helps landowners plan, install and implement structural, vegetative and management conservation practices. The amount of financial assistance provided by EQIP is based on the average cost to implement conservation practices.
Management practices through EQIP can be used to address wildlife habitat resource concerns in Koochiching County, such as management of open lands and brushlands, maintenance or promotion of older upland conifer species such as cedar, increased diversity of forest structure and species composition, and encouragement of mixed hardwood species such as bur oak.
EQIP funds are also available for additional improvements such as riparian area management, pollution control, water quality enhancement, and a wide variety of other natural resource conservation needs on private lands.
For further information regarding USDA financial assistance programs such as EQIP, contact our area Natural Resources Conservation Services District Conservationist, Kelly Voigt, at 218-634-2757, Ext. 109.
