Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program in New Jersey

NRCS accepts applications for all of our conservation programs throughout the year, but establishes funding periods to facilitate application review and contract development. The current funding period for WHIP will close on August 15, 2008, for the 2009 program.

The information presented below is based on program rules developed under the 2002 Farm Bill. With passage of the 2008 Farm Bill in May, statutory language changes mean new program rules need to be written by the Department. These rule changes may impact how New Jersey implements this program. The 2009 program information will be updated after consultation with the State Technical Committee once the new rules are approved for use and prior to any 2009 funding decisions. All applicants will have ample opportunity to review the rule changes and contract terms and will be required to comply with all applicable rules and requirements in place at the time of contract obligation.

Under the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), NRCS provides technical and financial assistance for creating, enhancing and maintaining wildlife habitat on non-federal lands. Contracts are awarded for projects that address one of the wildlife habitat categories designated by the State Technical Committee for WHIP in New Jersey. WHIP has been a popular program for non-federal landowners interested in wildlife habitat management in New Jersey since its inception in 1998.

The following documents require Adobe Acrobat
Fact Sheet - 2009 Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program in New Jersey (425 KB)

• Applying for WHIP - Contract Information
• History of WHIP in New Jersey
• Conservation Success through WHIP in New Jersey
• National WHIP Program Information
• New Jersey State Wildlife Plan
• Recognizing the Importance of Pollinators

New Jersey State Wildlife Plan

NRCS and partners in New Jersey have developed a State Wildlife Plan to coordinate NRCS wildlife activities with those of other agencies and groups. The Plan objectives are to promote the restoration of aquatic and upland habitats for New Jersey’s declining or important native fish and wildlife species; to create, restore, enhance or maintain habitat for at-risk fish and wildlife species in New Jersey; and to reduce the impacts of invasive, exotic species on New Jersey fish & wildlife habitats. The New Jersey WHIP program seeks to support the New Jersey State Wildlife Plan by funding projects that meet the plan objective as allowable under WHIP program rules.

This document requires Adobe Acrobat.
State Wildlife Plan for New Jersey (25 KB) 

Contact:  Janice Reid, Assistant State Conservationist, Programs
Contact Phone: 732-537-6042

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Last Modified: June 30, 2008