The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has unveiled a new plan to help guide voluntary conservation work over the next five years across 25 states, including over seven million acres of new conservation practices on productive working lands. This new plan will contribute to the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to make our Nation a leader on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.
The plan will accelerate voluntary conservation efforts for the Northern Bobwhite Quail, as well as the grassland and savanna landscapes in which the species calls home. This plan (named “The Northern Bobwhite, Grasslands and Savannas Framework for Conservation Action”) outlines how USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will work with agricultural producers and Partners, such as Quail Forever, to increase the adoption of targeted conservation practices that are good for farmers, ranchers, the Bobwhite, and natural resources. This framework leverages conservation efforts on working lands and supports the Biden Administration’s “America the Beautiful” initiative.
“When we manage for Bobwhite habitat, we’re creating healthier grasslands, which is good for livestock producers, landowners, and natural resources,” said Dean Krehbiel, NRCS State Resource Conservationist in Kansas. Krehbiel added, “This new framework builds on what we know – that America’s agricultural producers using conservation practices are helping the declining species, like the Bobwhite, while also providing food and fiber and conserving our resources for future generations. In the face of climate change, as well as habitat loss and fragmentation, expanding efforts to conserve landscapes and wildlife communities is more important than ever.”
“Quail Forever recognizes the need to help landowners build farming systems that match profitability with ecological performance; supporting the bottom line of farmers and ranchers while contributing to a habitat mosaic that creates positive gains for Bobwhite Quail and other species,” said Ron Leathers, Chief Conservation Officer for Quail Forever. “To that end, we’re proud to partner with USDA in this endeavor and we look forward to assisting producers with the implementation of working lands programs that provide incredible gains for wildlife, water quality, farm profitability, climate resiliency, and soil health.” The framework:
- Reduces threats such as invasive species and altered disturbance regimes to grassland and savanna landscapes that Northern Bobwhite and other species call home.
- Establishes native warm season grasses to reduce erosion, provide forage, and increase habitat connectivity.
- Focuses on key conservation practices including prescribed grazing, brush management, prescribed burning, field borders, and range planting.
- Leverages support from Partners, such as Quail Forever and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, to help producers with planning and implementing practices.
- Monitors and measures the response of the Northern Bobwhite and other wildlife species through the Northern Bobwhite Technical Committee (NBTC) and Quail Forever.
- Develops landscape-wide models to track wildlife and economic outcomes by researchers at the University of Georgia and Mississippi State University.
- Develops outcomes assessments that include quantifying tons of carbon stored because of conservation efforts to mitigate harmful greenhouse gases.
The Great Plains Grassland Initiative (GPGI) provides technical and financial assistance to ranchers in core grassland areas, supporting their efforts to reduce grassland vulnerability to woody plant encroachment. How Landowners Can Get Involved Farmers, ranchers, and private landowners in the central and eastern regions can work with NRCS to implement conservation practices on their working lands, including those that further this new framework. To learn more, please contact your local USDA Service Center
. Conservation at USDA Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is engaged in a whole-of-government effort to combat the climate crisis, as well as to conserve and protect our nation’s lands, biodiversity, and natural resources including our soil, air, and water. Through voluntary conservation practices and Partnerships, USDA aims to enhance economic growth and create new streams of income for farmers, ranchers, producers, and private foresters. Successfully meeting these challenges will require USDA and our Agencies to pursue a coordinated approach alongside USDA stakeholders, including State, local, and Tribal governments.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities.
Further, USDA is building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
Service Center personnel continue to work with agricultural producers via phone, email, and other digital tools. Because of the pandemic, some USDA Service Centers are open to limited visitors. Contact your Service Center to set up an in-person or phone appointment. Visit www.farmers.gov to create a secure account, apply for NRCS programs, electronically sign documents, and manage your conservation contracts.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
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