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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.
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.
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