Text Box: Several different cost-share programs are available to help cover the expenses of restoring and maintaining prairie remnants and prairie reconstructions. Some of the funding is first come, first serve, so call today to determine if your property is eligible for available cost-share programs. WHIP—Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program 60% cost-share 5 or 10-year contracts for installation and maintenance Cost-share covers tree & brush removal, invasive species control, prescribed burning, timber stand improvement and planting native prairie EQIP–Environmental Quality Incentives Program 50% cost-share 10-year maintenance agreement Cost-share covers tree & brush removal, prescribed fire, fencing to protect remnant, and planting native prairie REAP—Resource Enhancement and Protection 75% cost-share 1-year contract to install practices, 20-year maintenance agreement Cost-share covers tree & brush removal, planting native prairie, creation of local ecotype seed sources, and timber stand improvement Text Box: Loess Hills Stewardship Initiative 50% cost-share 10-year maintenance agreement Cost-share covers prescribed burning, tree & brush removal, and planting native prairie CRP–Conservation Reserve Program Crop history (from 1996—2001) is necessary for eligibility Cost-share varies with practices. Practices include windbreaks, living snow fences, grassed waterways, shallow water wildlife areas, contour strips, shelterbelts, filter strips, riparian buffers, quail habitat buffers, wetland restoration, and others. 10 to 15-year contract Additional cost-share programs can be found on the Natural Resource Conservation Service website at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ Any landowner interested in enrolling in cost-share programs to restore and protect property in the Loess Hills should contact Abbie Meyer at the Mills County NRCS office at (712) 624-8606 ext. 3 or abbie.meyer@ia.nacdnet.net. Text Box: Abbie Meyer joined the Mills Soil and Water Conservation District as Private Lands Conservationist on March 15, 2006. Abbie became interested in the position after serving landowners in Southwest Wisconsin working for an ecological restoration contractor for 2 ½ years. She was first introduced to the Loess Hills as a Nature Conservancy intern, doing cedar removal and controlling invasive species.

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Text Box: Cost-Share Programs for Prairie Restoration Text Box: Private Lands Conservationist Available in Southwest Iowa

Prairie Restoration
Text Box: Abbie is looking forward to meeting area landowners and working towards restoration and conservation of the Loess Hills. She is available for resource management and conservation consultation and technical assistance for the implementation of Farm Bill programs. Abbie will be working out of the Malvern Natural Resources Conservation Services Office and can be reached at (712) 624 – 8606 ext. 3 or abbie.meyer@ia.nacdnet.net.