The Crowing Post:  12/3/07


 

Landowner Conservation Program Meeting
 A one-stop-shopping meeting to learn about conservation programs

On Wednesday, December 5th, the Cedar River Ringnecks chapter of Pheasants Forever (PF) will hold a free informational meeting at 6:30 pm at the Spalding Senior Center.  The meeting is open to all interested parties and will provide a meal and refreshments to attendees, a presentation that outlines the many conservation programs that are available for landowners to consider and some guidance on how to enroll in conservation programs. 

Throughout Central Nebraska, there are many conservation programs available to landowners through a variety of sources that include the US Department of Agriculture, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, Natural Resource Districts and local PF chapters.  “Knowing how to navigate through all the conservation programs available to landowners can be a frustrating and time-consuming process” said Ryan Lodge, PF Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist.  “By offering landowners the opportunity to learn about the many options and programs in one location and setting, we hope to make this a much easier process for them to consider.” 

The main purpose of the meeting is to offer landowners a relaxed opportunity to hear about conservation programs and how they may fit into their farming and ranching operation.  Some of the conservation program options available to landowners can include cost-share incentives and/or rental payments for the following activities:

  • Prescribed Burns on pasture or CRP

  • Deferred grazing payments

  • Cedar tree removal

  • Rotational grazing system

  • Planting wildlife habitat

  • Fencing to protect wildlife habitat

In many cases, conservation programs and their incentives can be combined to provide landowners with even greater incentives and cost share payments.  By hearing about these options in one setting, landowners will be able to consider programs without having to track down and talk with multiple agencies.

The Cedar River Ringnecks PF chapter was formed in February 2002.  Since that time, the chapter has spent over $190,000 on habitat projects, youth education and habitat equipment.  Those dollars were raised through local fundraising events and remain with the local chapter to be spent primarily in Central Nebraska on a variety of projects.  As an example, the chapter has conducted five Youth Mentor Hunt events for 87 boys and girls.  “Working to make a difference in Central Nebraska and with youth was really why this chapter was formed,” stated Shawn O’Connor, Cedar River Ringnecks PF chapter president.  “We are looking for good habitat projects with local landowners to continue that record of habitat and youth education success.”

To learn more about Informational Meeting, please contact Denny Stromp at 428-2035 or Shawn O’Connor at 428-2645. 




Working with landowners to conduct and receive cost share assistance for prescribed burns on area grasslands is just one of the many conservation program options that will be discussed at the Informational Meeting in Spalding on Wednesday
    

 

 habitat today….pheasants forever!