Landowner Incentive Program
Notice
NEXT LIP FUNDING CYCLE: FALL 2007
Watch for more details.
What can the Landowner Incentive Program offer you?
Most rare species inhabit privately owned and managed lands in Texas. Incentive programs to assist private landowners in protecting and managing rare species can have a direct and positive impact on their conservation. It is the goal of this program to provide financial and technical assistance to landowners to help conserve rare species in support of the newly drafted Texas State Wildlife Action Plan. The LIP program is flexible and is open to all private landowners who have a desire to voluntarily manage for rare species on their land.
What are the Criteria for Applying?
- The proposed action by the landowner must contribute to the enhancement of at least one rare species or its habitat as identified by the Texas State Wildlife Action Plan. Priority is given to those projects targeting a rare species listed on the 2005 Texas LIP target species list although projects targeting rare species not on the list are still encouraged to apply. Rare species include those species that are federally or state listed as threatened or endangered or Federal Candidate Species not currently on the federal list; however, the primary focus of LIP is placed on Federal Candidate or State Listed species.
- The landowner's property must be able to provide suitable habitat for a rare species. The natural movement or reintroduction of individuals onto that property must be feasible and the property must be within the historic range of the targeted species.
- The results of the action must be measurable. Therefore, the landowner must agree to allow biologists onto their property for a pre-agreement survey and periodic progress checks to assess the success of the project objectives. Priority is also given to those projects where long term species monitoring is implemented.
- The landowner must be willing to sign a project agreement or management plan. Each agreement or management plan will be designed to meet the landowner's individual conservation and land use needs and objectives. Name, address and taxpayer ID or SSN will be required for accounting purposes; but, any other recording of information specific to the property is confidential by state law and not released without written permission from the landowner. Inability to complete management actions due to weather or other conditions beyond the landowner's control will be considered individually and rescheduled.
How do I Get Involved with the Landowner Incentive Program?
First, contact the District Leader at the Wildlife District office nearest you to request assistance. A site visit will be scheduled to assess habitat and discuss appropriate management activities for your property. You will work with a TPWD biologist to develop a project proposal for the target species.
How will Proposals be Selected?
Applications will be received and reviewed twice a year (September and April) and will be ranked according to the Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) Ranking Criteria by TPWD diversity biologists and the LIP Advisory Committee. The committee consists of private landowners and representatives of natural resource agencies and conservation organizations. The primary selection criteria will be based on the extent to which the action achieves species recovery or alleviates threats to the species balanced against the cost effectiveness of the proposed action. Applicants not selected will be eligible to reapply. Successful applicants will be notified and arrangements will be made to develop terms of the agreement. Landowners receive payment upon completion of planned practices and submission of valid invoices.
What are Some Projects Eligible for Funding?
TPWD wants to encourage creative and effective projects for conserving rare species. Funds can be used for projects such as habitat enhancement (restoring native vegetation, prescribed burns, selective brush management, grazing management systems) or habitat protection (restoring ecologically sensitive areas, gating caves). Other actions not listed here that will accomplish conservation goals at reasonable cost are encouraged and will be considered.
What are the Funding Limitations?
Project funding varies according to availability of LIP funds and individual merit of projects. Although there are no project duration limitations, results of management actions that can be documented in three years or less are preferred. The applicant should expect to contribute at least 25% of total project cost in materials or in-kind services. Payment schedules will be negotiated with the landowner to meet the objectives of the management plan. Receipt of final payment will be contingent on the landowner's fulfillment of the agreement and completion of the project. Landowners are expected to work with their biologist to document final results of the project.
The Landowner Incentive Program Grant Application
(Word 142.5 KB) must be filled out by a biologist who will work on the project. Please contact your local diversity biologist and select your region for more information.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744