Landowner Incentive Program
A Cost-Share Program of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Through Wildlife Habitat Stamp and Chickadee Checkoff Funds

In Iowa, considered by many to be the most altered state in the nation, there are 13 federally-listed threatened and endangered species. In addition, four other species are candidates to be put on the Federal Endangered List. There are also 238 state-listed endangered and threatened species in Iowa.

The Iowa DNR received a Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The LIP grant is used to provide cost-share to landowners interested in voluntarily protecting, enhancing, and restoring habitats for threatened and endangered species.

The Landowner Incentive Program's purpose is to encourage landowners to improve the existing habitat that hosts these rare species, thereby assisting in species recovery and/or pre-empting the listing of declining species. This is a program designed for the rare and often unnoticed plants, insects, reptiles, as well as species like the bald eagle. Under the grant, landowners could receive up to 75% of the cost of implementing habitat management practices designed to protect threatened and endangered species. The focus of LIP is not tied to any crop base or farming practice, but is for all landowners who are looking to protect and enhance existing habitat in critical natural resource areas. Primary consideration will be given to natural areas found within the state designated priority areas(*.pdf). Landowners can utilize the DNR's interactive mapping resource to learn more about the ranges of species-at-risk in Iowa, the threats posed to these species and land management opportunities that may benefit the species.

Interested landowners should contact their local management biologist or Private Lands Staff(*.pdf) to express their interest in the program. Once contacted, DNR staff will visit proposed sites to see what habitat and species are present, then work with the landowner on a plan to improve the habitat for these rare species.

A brochure describing the LIP program(*.pdf) is available here and can be downloaded and distributed freely to advertise the program.

Landowners who believe they might be interested in signing up for the LIP program should view the List of Common Questions concerning LIP to further determine if your land fits the LIP program and whether the LIP program fits your objectives.