WILD Nebraska

Funded with the help of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, the WILD Nebraska Program provides landowners with financial assistance to create new wildlife habitat or to enhance, improve and maintain existing habitat. Transitional land use payments may also be used to complement the enhancement activity. A broad spectrum of activities is included under WILD Nebraska, ranging from grassland and prairie establishment/enhancement to tree planting activities. Applications for WILD funding must be received by July 31 of each program year.

Beginning in 2005, a provision requiring landowners to allow public access for hunting and trapping on WILD Nebraska enrolled acres was discontinued.  However, landowners who wish to allow public access for hunting and trapping can receive an additional $3 per acre annual payment for each of the practices listed.

WILD Nebraska Practices and Activities in the South Platte NRD
Grassland Establishment	Incentive (C/S = Cost Share)	Contract  (years)	Minimum Acres
Grassland or prairie establishment	80% C/S on materials & labor, Max. $2,500/year, up to $25/acre transition payment	10	5
Wildlife shrub planting	80% C/S on materials & labor, Max. $2,500/year, up to $25/acre transition payment	10	1
Grassland Enhancement and Grazing Management	Incentive (C/S = Cost Share)	Contract  (years)	Minimum Acres
Light disking	80% C/S on labor, Max. $1,000/year	10	1
Grassland haying and/or shredding	80% C/S on labor, Max. $500/year	10	5
Fencing for habitat protection (CRP not eligible)	50% C/S on materials & labor, Max. $1,100/year	10	5
Interseeding established grasslands with grasses and forbs	80% C/S on materials & labor, Max. $2,500/year	10	5
Light disking and interseeding of grasses      and forbs	80% C/S on materials & labor, Max. $2,500/year	10	5
Prescribed burning	Avg. payment $12.50/acre for 5-50 acres, Avg. $4/acre for 50 acres or more, Max.	10	5
Wildlife shrub planting	80% C/S on materials & labor, Max. $2,500/year, up to $25/acre transition payment	10	1
CRP Enhancement	Incentive (C/S = Cost Share)	Contract (years)	Minimum Acres
Rototilling tree & shrub plantings	80% C/S on labor (90% for Pheasants Forever members)	10	n/a
Weed barrier for trees & shrubs	50% C/S on materials & labor, Max. $1,100	10	n/a
Light disking	80% C/S on labor, Max. $1,000/year	10	1
Interseeding established grasslands with legumes and forbs	80% C/S on materials & labor, Max. $500/year	10	1
Prescribed burning	Avg. payment $12.50/acre for 5-50 acres, Avg. $4/acre for 50 acres or more, Max.	10	5
Cropland Enhancement	Incentive (C/S = Cost Share)	Contract (years)	Minimum Acres
Wheat stubble management	(varies--see below)	1	5
Option #1: 12" tall stubble left from harvest to June 30.  Herbicide restrictions apply.**	$7 per acre, Max. 250 acres	(renewable annually)
Option #2:  12" tall stubble left from Harvest to March 1.  Herbicide restrictions apply. **	$3 per acre, Max. 250 acres	"
Woodland Establishment or Enhancement	Incentive (C/S = Cost Share)	Contract (years)	Minimum Acres
Rototilling tree & shrub plantings	80% C/S on labor (90% for Pheasants Forever members	10	1
Riparian forest buffers	Max. $2,500/year	10	n/a
Fencing for habitat protection (CRP not eligible)	50% C/S on materials & labor, Max. $1,100/year	10	varies
Wildlife shelterbelts	80% C/S on materials & labor, Max. $2,500/year	10	5
Wildlife shrub plantings	80% C/S on materials & labor, Max $2,500/year, up to $25/acre transition payment	10	1
Wetland Establishment and Enhancement	Incentive (C/S = Cost Share)	Contract (years)	Minimum Acres
Grassland haying and/or shredding	80% C/S on labor, Max. $500/year	10	5
Fencing for habitat protection (CRP not eligible)	50% C/S on materials & labor, Max. $1,100/year	10	5
Irrigation reuse pit closure (in wetlands only)	Max. $5,000/year	10	n/a
Prescribed burning	Avg. payment $12.50/acre for 5-50 acres, Avg. $4/acre for 50 acres or more, Max.	10	5
Water control structure installation	Max. $5,000/year	10	n/a
Wetland silt and fill removal	Max. $5,000/year	10	n/a
Wetland vegetation management	Max. $5,000/year	10	n/a
Add $3 per acre annual payment to each of the above practices if public access, including hunting is allowed.
** Herbicide use is restricted in order to qualify for the incentives.  A basic broadleaf burndown herbicide such as 2,4-D is allowed before May 15 of the growing season to control winter annual weeds.  No pre-emergent herbicides or herbicides with carryover are allowed.  After harvest, herbicides are allowed on stubble after Sept. 15.  For chemical fallow purposes the following year, herbicides must be applied before April 15.

For more information about WILD Nebraska, click here or contact us.