Landowner Incentive Program Seeks Potential Members

RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct. 16, 2007) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is currently working to identify landowners in Bladen, Sampson, Cumberland, and Duplin counties for potential membership in its Landowner Incentive Program.

The Landowner Incentive Program strives to enhance, protect or restore habitats that benefit at-risk species on private lands. In this instance, the Commission is targeting the restoration of fire-dependent longleaf pine habitats in the state’s Coastal Plain. The loss of such habitat has been linked to population declines in species like the eastern fox squirrel, red-cockaded woodpeckers and northern bobwhite quail.

If the challenges of managing open pine forests and native grasslands are not addressed soon, the at-risk species which depend on these habitats will become even more imperiled. More than 153 plants, animals and insects within these longleaf pine habitats have been labeled as species of special concern by state, regional or national conservation organizations.

“This is an excellent opportunity for landowners to receive financial and technical assistance to create a rich and diverse habitat,” said Michael Champion, a biologist with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. “Just as wildlife will greatly benefit, the landowner’s experiences while utilizing and managing the land will also be enriched.”

The Commission will use a ranking system to evaluate potential properties based on several factors including presence of target species, contribution to habitat and species conservation, existing habitat quality, potential for success and tract size. 

While cooperating landowners are required to sign a management agreement, it is designed to be “owner friendly.” In addition to financial assistance, partnering landowners will receive property evaluations, habitat management plans and visits from wildlife biologists. These efforts will focus on restoring threatened species and biodiversity to participating properties.

To learn more about the program or the longleaf pine habitats of the Coastal Plain, click here.