Programs & Issues |
Partners for Fish and Wildlife
Habitat Restoration in California California
has lost more than 90% of its historic wetlands and over 95% of its
historic streamside trees, shrubs, and ground vegetation due to urbanization,
agricultural conversion, flood control, and invasion by nonnative
plants. It is estimated that an astounding 99% of the historic native
grasslands of California have been lost or have become dominated by
nonnative plants. Habitat restoration and conservation is essential
to preserving California's fish and wildlife resources. With more
than two-thirds of California's land in private ownership, the future
of the state's wildlife habitat is dependent on the conservation practices
of the private landowner. Since 1990, the California Partners program
has restored and enhanced over 62,000 acres of wetlands and wildlife
habitat for the benefit of federal trust species; that is, migratory
birds, anadromous fish, and threatened and endangered species. Program Goals The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program emphasizes the restoration of historic ecological communities for the benefit of native fish and wildlife in conjunction with the desires of private landowners. The goals of the program are to:
Program Description Assistance provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can range from giving informal advice on the design and location of potential restoration projects, to designing a project and funding up to 50% of the implementation costs. A cooperative agreement is developed between the Service and the landowner in which the landowner agrees to maintain the restored or improved site for a minimum of 10 years. Projects that receive the highest priority for funding are those that provide direct benefits to migratory birds, anadromous fish, and threatened and endangered species. Habitat restoration and enhancement projects may include, but are not limited to, restoring wetland hydrology; installing fencing along riparian areas to exclude livestock; rehabilitating in-stream aquatic habitats; removing nonnative plants; planting native grasslands; and planting native trees, shrubs, and other plants to provide food and shelter for fish and wildlife in degraded habitats. Program benefits for landowners include protecting or restoring sustainable populations of native fish, wildlife, and plants; improving water quality and watershed health; reducing point source pollution; protecting and stabilizing property loss due to erosion; and enhancing aesthetics and recreation benefits. For more information visit the national Partners for Fish and Wildlife page or visit partners programs in other regions below Region
1 - Idaho,
Oregon |
Conserving the Nature of America
The Partners for Fish and
Wildlife Program is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's habitat restoration
cost-sharing program for private landowners. The program was established
to provide technical and financial assistance to conservation minded
farmers, ranchers and other private (nonfederal and nonstate) landowners
who wish to restore fish and wildlife habitat on their land. Last updated:
September 26, 2008
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