Nov. 24, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 532

For more information, contact Shelley Tovell, Delaware Private Lands Assistance Program, 302-735-3600, or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

                   DNREC’s Landowner Incentive Program Accepting Grant Applications by Dec. 8

Delaware private landowners who seek to protect, enhance or restore habitat that benefit species-at-risk are encouraged to apply for grant funds through DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Landowner Incentive Program (LIP). The grant program, made possible with funding through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, provides landowners with cost-share funds and technical assistance with five of the 50 key wildlife habitats indentified in the 2006 Delaware Wildlife Action Plan (WAP). Grant applications are due by Dec. 8.

“The Wildlife Action Plan identified habitat loss and fragmentation from current and projected development as one of the greatest threats to Delaware’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need,” said Shelley Tovell, private lands biologist. “With more than 80 percent of the state’s available or restorable wildlife habitat on private property, the future of Delaware’s wildlife and their habitat hinges on working cooperatively with private landowners to manage these resources.”

The Request for Proposals and program guidelines can be found on DNREC’s website at http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Documents/LIP%20RFP%2011142008.pdf. For more information on the Delaware Landowner Incentive Program, visit http://www.dnrec.state.de.us/dplap/information/DELIP.shtml.

Grant proposals should describe actions that manage, protect or restore habitat to benefit at least one Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). To obtain a list of Delaware’s SGCN, visit www.dnrec.state.de.us/nhp/information/SpeciesNeed.shtml, or contact Shelley Tovell at 302-735-3600. 

The goal of the program is to protect, restore or enhance 787 acres of habitat that will benefit a minimum of 40 of the 179 at-risk species (SGCN) associated with five key wildlife habitats - coastal plain upland forests; coastal plain forested floodplains and riparian swamps; coastal plain ponds; Piedmont stream valley wetlands; and early successional habitats. Landowners selected to participate will receive financial assistance in the form of cost-share for habitat management practices or rental payments for lost agricultural income.

Since the Delaware LIP was established in 2003, 150 landowners have received funding and 1,236 acres of private property have been protected, restored or enhanced.

To request a copy of the proposal guidelines and application contact 302-735-3600, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Applications can be submitted electronically to Shelley.Tovell@state.de.us or mailed to:

Private Lands Assistance Program
Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife
Landowner Incentive Program
6180 Hay Point Landing Road
Smyrna, DE 19977

To view the Delaware Wildlife Action Plan, visit DNREC’s website at http://www.dnrec.state.de.us/nhp/information/dewaptoc.shtml.