Landowner Assistance Programs in Florida

Gainesville, Florida

September 24, 2010

Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program

• Voluntary program that provides technical and financial assistance for habitat restoration on private lands.

• Private lands = Any non-federal or non-state lands.

• Emphasis is placed on projects that benefit federal trust resources including Federally- listed T&E species and other declining or imperiled species, migratory birds, and inter-jurisdictional fisheries and lands adjacent to Refuges.

• Funding assistance through the Partners Program is not available to purchase land-use rights (e.g., to purchase easements, pay rent, etc.).

Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program

• Projects with private landowners must secure a minimum 10-year agreement.

• 50/50 cost-share, either monetarily or in-kind.

• Reasonable access to project property.

• Extenuating circumstances - Landowner can opt out of agreement by reimbursing costs back to the Service on a pro-rated basis.

• Year-round (continuous) acceptance of proposals. (The When!)

2010 Results!

Totals - State of Florida Partners Program

Acres Wetland Completed - 804 acres

Acres Upland Completed - 6,409 acres

Riparian/Stream/Shoreline Miles Completed – 2.4 miles

Number of Fish Barriers Removed – 2

Miles Stream/Shoreline/Reopened to Fish Passage – 5.8 miles

Habitat Projects• Upland Restoration

• Prescribe burning• Hardwood Control (i.e., mechanical, manual, and chemical)• Invasive Species Control• Ground Cover Restoration (i.e., direct seeding and/or plugs)• Tree Planting (i.e., Longleaf and scrub)• Red-cockaded woodpecker cavity installation

• Wetland Restoration • Riparian floodplain• Moist soil units• Ditch plugging• Dike placement• Invasive species control

• Stream/Shoreline Restoration• New channel design• Fish passage• Streambank stabilization• Natural springs• Sea Turtle Beach Lighting

Coastal Program• Protect, conserve, and restore coastal resources through

partnerships.

• Foster partnerships with other Federal, State, local, and private organizations.

• Provide financial and technical assistance for restoration project of coastal ecosystems.

• A listing of all Coastal Program coordinators is available at: http://www.fws.gov/coastal.