Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)

The Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program offers opportunities to landowners to improve and protect wildlife habitat on private and Tribal lands. Persons interested in entering into a cost-share agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop wildlife habitat may file an application at any time. Participants voluntarily limit future use of the land for a period of time, but retain private ownership. In addition, NRCS works with the participant to develop a wildlife habitat development plan.

Projects in New Mexico have improved habitat on private land for elk, turkey, bear, shorebirds, grouse, desert bighorn sheep, and other species including the endangered willow flycatchers. The projects have emphasized the development of water supplies for wildlife, establishment of permanent flood plains, and fencing cattle out of creeks and ponds.

FY 2009 Application Sign-up Now in Progress - Deadline is October 17, 2008

The 2008 Farm Bill has been enacted.  Applications are now being accepted for FY 2009 funding consideration.  The deadline for submitting applications is October 17, 2008.  The current ranking criteria gives a strong preference to applications where two or more individuals/partnerships are involved.  Please contact your local NRCS field office for information and assistance.

Please refer to the appropriate links for information on eligible practices, cost-share rates and ranking criteria.

The following documents require Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft Word.

NRCS-CPA-1200, Application and NRCS-CPA-1202, Contract Appendix (PDF; 29 KB)

NRCS-CPA-1200, Application and NRCS-CPA-1202, Spanish Version of Contract Appendix (PDF; 32 KB)

Ranking Criteria (DOC; 130 KB)

FY 2009 WHIP Payment Schedule - Pending

The following document requires Microsoft Excel

FOTG 2008 WHIP Cost Docket (XLS)

New Mexico Wildlife State Plan

The following documents require Adobe Acrobat

WHIP New Mexico State Plan (PDF; 131 KB)

Contact

Michael Neubeiser
State Program Manager
(505) 761-4419
E-mail: Michael.Neubeiser@nm.usda.gov

Last Modified: 07/28/2008