A Unique WHIP Partnership 

from left, Craig Ellis, Jerome Thomas, and John Frampton sign a cooperative agreement to improve wildlife habitat on nearly 10,000 acres in Newberry County, South Carolina

Nearly 10,000 acres of the Indian Creek Wildlife Habitat Restoration Initiative in Newberry County, South Carolina, will be enhanced thanks to Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) funding through a partnership between NRCS and other Federal, State, and local partners. To mark the project kickoff, NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Programs Craig Ellis, US Forest Service Forest Supervisor for Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests Jerome Thomas, and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Director John Frampton signed the agreement at a ceremony held at Harbison State Forest in Columbia. “This unique partnership will improve habitat for species that depend on grasslands and similar habitat,” explained Ellis.

Learn more about  NRCS in South Carolina.

The habitats that will be protected have declined sharply across the Southeast resulting in a significant drop in the number of bobwhite quail and songbirds such as the Prairie Warbler, Loggerhead shrike, and Bachman’s sparrow. Popular game species like white-tailed deer and wild turkey will also benefit from planned management of the area. Practices to be implemented include prescribed burning, spraying and thinning to open up congested areas for wildlife, removal of undesirable species, and planting native grasses.
Your contacts are Amy O. Maxwell, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 803-765-5402, and the Newberry County Conservation Partnership at 803-276-1978. ext 3.