2008 Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program

The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program that provides both technical and financial assistance to private landowners to develop and improve fish and wildlife habitat. WHIP funding is available on a competitive basis and is used to assist the landowner implement conservation practices identified in their conservation plan. The program is a wonderful tool for all landowners in Montana to address fish and wildlife resource concerns on their property.

NOTE: The 2002 Farm Bill expired at the end of fiscal year 2007. A new farm bill may be implemented in 2008 which could change the specific program information within these Web pages. Therefore, all information is based on past policies (2007 and before) and is subject to change at anytime after October 1, 2007.

Montana Youth for Wildlife is a special initiative designed to specifically expose Montana's youth to natural resource concerns for fish and wildlife and their habitat needs. The initiative provides an opportunity for our youth to be involved in assessing and improving habitat needs for fish and wildlife species in the state.

WHIP Resources

If you encounter any problems with the files provided on this page, please contact Jeff Combs at 406-587-6795.

The following documents require Acrobat Reader.

Montana WHIP Focus Area Map (PDF; 423 KB)

Wildlife Habitat Appraisal Guides for Montana (PDF; 178 KB)

• Montana 2008 WHIP Intermountain Focus Area Ranking Criteria
• Montana 2008 WHIP Great Plains Focus Area Ranking Criteria
• Montana 2008 WHIP Prairie Potholes Focus Area Ranking Criteria

The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program is a continuous signup program. Landowners may apply for financial assistance throughout the year. However, the deadline for fiscal year 2009 funding consideration is June 1, 2008. Any applications that miss this deadline will be held until the next funding deadline.

The Montana WHIP State Plan is the result of a collaborative effort by the Wildlife and Wetlands Working Group of the State Technical Advisory Committee. The plan describes objectives and priorities for WHIP in Montana.

Also see the national NRCS web site for more information about the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program.

WHIP Projects in Montana

The following stories describe how some Montana residents are using WHIP and NRCS expertise to help make their lands healthier and more productive.

• Earth Team Volunteers Help Complete WHIP Tree Planting Project
• Hutterite Colony, NRCS Work Together to Benefit Wildlife
• Managing for Wildlife Habitat and Agricultural Sustainability
• Rest Rotation Grazing System Benefits Land, Wildlife
• Stream Restoration for Wildlife Habitat
• Students Spearhead Stream Restoration Project

Prior-Year WHIP (Archives)

• 2007 WHIP Information

Contacts

Jeff Combs, Program Specialist
Phone: 406-587-6795
Email: Jeffrey.Combs

Carrie Mosley, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs
Phone: 406-587-6967
Email: Carrie.Mosley

Last Modified: 12/02/2008