Are you a farmer concerned about Delaware’s wildlife? Do you enjoy watching wildlife? The Division of Fish and Wildlife may have a program for you! The Delaware 
Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Program provides technical and financial assistance to Delaware farmers who are interested in restoring early successional habitat for wildlife. Give us a call to see if you qualify!
What is the Delaware Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Program?
The Delaware Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Program was developed to encourage private landowners to allow part of their agricultural lands return to a natural state. This program is especially important to wildlife like the Bobwhite Quail, who are dependant upon early successional habitat. Early successional habitats (grasses, shrubs and wildflowers) are quickly disappearing throughout the state. Landowners will receive compensation at the fair market value of $70.00/acre for their participation in this program.
How do I qualify?
-
A maximum of 5 acres must be taken out of production and maintained according to a specific management plan for 5 years
-
You must own a minimum of 25 acres
-
The deadline for inclusion in the program is March 15 of each year.
Landowners will be responsible for developing permanent wildlife cover on program acreage and must control any noxious vegetation. A written wildlife management plan will be created for each project area enrolled in the program.Commercial and Non-commercial Regulated Shooting Areas are NOT eligible for this Program
Northern Bobwhite rely upon early successional fields and hedgerows and wood edges for habitat. (Photo courtesy of the MD-DE Chapter of the Wildlife Society) |
|
Northern Bobwhite nest with eggs.
|
Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Program Application
Northern Bobwhite Research
The Division of Fish & Wildlife has contracted with the University of Delaware to conduct Northern Bobwhite research utilizing Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Program and State Wildlife Grant Funds. A master’s degree candidate initiated the research in the summer of 2008 by establishing 180 listening stations statewide. Each station was visited three times to listen for singing male bobwhites, and to document other birds utilizing the area. These surveys will be conducted again in 2009.
The goal is to develop a model that will show the best remaining bobwhite breeding habitat in the state. The Division hopes to target habitat restoration efforts based on the maps produced by this research. This is especially important when managing for a species like the Northern Bobwhite that has a relatively small home range. Habitats need to be connected to allow birds to travel between suitable areas so different flocks can mix. Private property owners will be a key to this management approach.
