PRIVATE LANDOWNERS

Application acceptance has been extended to (postmarked by) February 1, 2013 for protection and management of at-risk grassland bird species such as short-eared owls, upland sandpipers, and Henslow’s sparrows. Program funding is approximately $1,000,000. Eligible applicants must be private landowners who own at least twenty-five contiguous grassland habitat or shrubland the landowner is willing to convert to grassland within one of the program’s Grassland Focus Areas. Selected landowners will be reimbursed $110 or $113 per acre per year. The higher rate will be applied for parcels of land located within 25 miles of large urban areas (population of more than 100,000), reflecting higher soil rental rates near population centers. Complete program information and location of the focus areas will be found by clicking on the Landowner Incentive Program tab at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/32891.html

An application can be downloaded through the same web address.

For an application, contact: Marcelo J. del Puerto, DEC, at the above address or call (518) 402-8907, e-mail: [email protected] (Preferred method)