WHF Announces Partnership Agreement with NRCS

CAT SPRING, Texas, October 13, 2023 – Wildlife Habitat Federation (WHF) announces today an important partnership with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that will bring expanded conservation management services to 131 counties in Texas.

This influx of support expands services to agricultural producers at no charge and increases WHF’s reach to some of the fastest growing counties in Texas, where land fragmentation disrupts habitat and ecosystem connectivity. With ~95% of Texas property privately held, landowners are key to nature-based solutions, and many are operating on thin margins.

“WHF offers options and actions that work with nature, rather than against it, and assists all landowners, regardless of their ability to financially begin their conservation journey. This is often especially important to small acreage and historically underserved landowners,” says Garry Stephens, WHF President. Stephens also said, “WHF will help landowners enroll in valuable Farm Bill programs and aligns with existing goals in our strategic plan.

Landowners working with WHF will be provided with climate-smart strategies specific to their lands and habitats and have direct access to natural resource evaluations, federal funding opportunities and programs, on-the-ground habitat restoration, regenerative principles and ecological solutions, and concentrated technical assistance.

The results of this relationship will be seen in the maximized conservation values, improved bottom lines, and environmental sustainability on working agricultural lands throughout the state. The agreement aims to place 60,000 acres under improved management.

With this commitment of support, WHF will expand an existing suite of restoration and management services, creating and reconnecting resilient grassland and prairie ecosystems across Texas.

WHF equips landowners and partners with the education, tools, and technical assistance for on-the-ground restoration, management, and generational sustainability of grassland and prairie habitat for the conservation of soil, water, air, and wildlife. For more information contact Garry Stephens at 210-422-1600. Follow our work at www.whf-texas.org and LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

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