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Landowner Incentive Program
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Wyoming's private landowners provide essential habitat for most of our fish and wildlife species. The Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) provides flexible opportunities for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to partner with private landowners willing to implement habitat improvements and manage their lands to benefit at-risk species. At-risk species are any plant or animal species that are federally listed as endangered, threatened, or candidate; species listed by NatureServe as critically imperiled (G1), imperiled (G2), or vulnerable (G3); or species designated as such by the State of Wyoming using its Native Species Status matrix.
By partnering with the department, private landowners will receive technical and financial assistance to implement management practices that will benefit both fish and wildlife habitat and the agricultural productivity of their land. LIP projects will focus on select species inhabiting the three main ecosystems where most of Wyoming's at-risk species occur: grasslands; sagebrush; and prairie streams/watersheds. However, these projects will benefit many of Wyoming's species of greatest conservation need.
Even if your application is unsuccessful, or if you decide that a partnership with the Game and Fish Department is not right for you, we would still encourage you to review the following ecosystem and species descriptions and adopt whatever best management practices (BMPs) you can to benefit Wyoming's wildlife and people.
Focus Ecosystems and Species
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How do you participate in the LIP program?
First, review the following short list. If you can answer yes to all of the following questions, then you can qualify for a LIP project.
 Am I the owner of the land I want to do the habitat improvement project on?
Am I located in a grassland or sagebrush habitat system, or do I have a prairie stream on my property?
Do I think LIP focus species inhabit my property?
Am I willing to manage my property for the benefit of at-risk species?
Am I willing to enter into a management contract (LIP Grant Agreement) with the WGFD?
Other Considerations
Because the LIP program is federally funded, it requires at least a 50% non-federal match, which can consist of cash or in-kind services provided by the landowner or other partners. In addition, LIP projects must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act, but this process has been streamlined for many of the LIP management practices.
LIP grant applications will be accepted from October through December (LIP Timeline) and project grants will be awarded annually in July on a competitive basis (LIP Project Score Sheet) within the three main focus ecosystems. Time-sensitive and high-priority projects may be submitted and considered at any time. All projects will require pre- and post-project monitoring and additional annual monitoring, including photo points for the life of the grant agreement. Projects on actively grazed lands will also require the implementation of a customized 15-year grazing management plan developed to meet the needs of both the landowner and wildlife.
You want to apply for a project. What's next?
Once you have decided that a LIP project is right for you and your property, please contact your local Game and Fish Habitat Biologist (State Regional Offices) or the LIP Coordinator.
They will help you get the project started by making a site visit, explaining the program further, and discussing your project in more detail, including habitat improvements (LIP Management Practices) and Best Management Practices (BMPs) that can be implemented to benefit at-risk species. Together you will compile the necessary information to work out a project plan, draft a preliminary management plan, and formally apply (LIP Grant Application) for a LIP grant. Successful projects will be eligible for prepayment with projects starting in July.
Additional Information
Department of the Interior LIP Homepage
Wyoming Bird Conservation Plan
Wyoming Bird Conservation Plan PDF Version
Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy
A Plan for Bird and Mammal Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Eastern Wyoming Grasslands
Strategic Habitat Plan
Conservation Assessment of Greater Sage-Grouse and Sagebrush Habitats
Wyoming guidelines for managing sagebrush communities with emphasis on fire management
Recommendations for Development of Oil and Gas Resources within Crucial and Important Wildlife Habitats
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