Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program

The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program for people who want to develop and improve wildlife habitat primarily on private land. Through WHIP USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service provides both technical assistance and up to 75 percent cost-share assistance to establish and improve fish and wildlife habitat. WHIP agreements between NRCS and the participant generally last from 5 to 10 years from the date the agreement is signed.

WHIP has proven to be a highly effective and widely accepted program across the country. By targeting wildlife habitat projects on all lands and aquatic areas, WHIP provides assistance to conservation minded landowners.

The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 reauthorized WHIP as a voluntary approach to improving wildlife habitat in our Nation. Program administration of WHIP is provided under the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Program Priorities for Fiscal Year 2008

• Promote the restoration of declining or important native wildlife habitats.
• Protect, restore, develop or enhance wildlife habitat of at-risk species (candidate species, and State and Federally listed threatened and endangered species).
• Reduce the impacts of invasive species on wildlife habitats.
• Protect, restore, develop or enhance declining or important aquatic wildlife species’ habitats.

WHIP Contract and Funding Information

• FY-2008 Allocation, Contract and Funding Information
• FY-2007 Allocation Information
• FY-2007 Contract Information
• FY-2007 Unfunded Application Information
• FY-2006 Allocation Information
• FY-2006 Contract Information
• FY-2006 Unfunded Application Information
• FY-2005 Allocation Information
• FY-2005 Contract Information
• FY-2005 Unfunded Application Information
• FY-2004 Allocation Information
• FY-2004 Contract Information
• FY-2004 Unfunded Application Information
• FY-2003 Allocation Information
• FY-2003 Contract Information
• FY-2003 Unfunded Application Information
• FY-2002 Contract Information
• FY-2002 Unfunded Application Information

Program Information for 2002 Farm Bill

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Fact Sheet (47.05 KB)
Question and Answers  (38.12 KB)
Program Description (50.13 KB)
Key Points (46.79 KB)
Federal Regulation, 7 CFR 636, July 24, 2002 Revised final rule that includes changes to WHIP through the 2002 Farm Bill (33 KB)


Federal Regulation, September 19, 1997

WHIP Signup Information

NRCS Policy

WHIP Photo Gallery

Program Accomplishments and Success Stories

• FY 2001 State Fact Sheets
• 2001 State Accomplishments and Reports
• 1999 State Accomplishments and Reports
• 1998 State Accomplishments and Reports
• State Programs, Reports, and Accomplishments

Program Contact

Albert Cerna,  202-720-9358