Landowner Incentive Program Common Questions

What is the purpose of the Landowner Incentive Program (LIP)?
Most rare species inhabit privately owned and managed lands in Iowa. 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 technical and financial assistance that encourage landowners to help conserve rare species.

Who is eligible?
Any private landowner with land located in one of the state’s designated priority areas is eligible to receive cost-share to implement habitat improvement projects through the Landowner Incentive Program. Landowners with land outside of one of the state’s designated priority areas may receive technical assistance regarding threatened and endangered species.

What will I, as a landowner, receive from the Landowner Incentive Program?
All interested landowners will receive technical assistance and a written habitat improvement plan in regards to threatened and endangered species in their area. Landowners in a state designated priority area will receive up to 75% of the cost to implement a habitat improvement project from the Landowner Incentive Program. A minimum of 25% of the cost to implement a habitat improvement project must come from a non-federal source. This can be in the form of a direct cash contribution or in-kind contribution of labor, materials, or equipment use.

Where are the state designated priority areas?

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State Priority Areas

How do I apply?
If your property is located in one of the state designated priority areas contact your local Private Lands Biologist,*.pdf or Wildlife Management Biologist. For help in filling out applications contact your local Iowa DNR biologist or your local Private Lands Biologist. Applications must be completely filled out for projects to be considered for funding.

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Application for Financial Support

Criteria for Applying

1. Property must be located in one of the state designated priority areas.
   
   
2. Project must contribute to the enhancement of at least one species at risk.
   
   
3. Property must provide suitable habitat for at least one species at risk, natural movement onto the property must be feasible and the property must be within the targeted species historic range.
   
   
4. Landowner must be willing to sign a maintenance agreement. The agreement is designed to ensure the habitat improvement remain in place for a minimum of 10 years.
   
   
5. Landowner must be willing to have the DNR visit the site and monitor species response.

What kinds of practices are eligible under the Landowner Incentive Program?

• Prairie Species-at-Risk Priority Area
  Native Establishment, Woody encroachment removal, Prescribed fire, Modified haying, Modified grazing, Exotic species control
  
  
• Savanna Priority Area
  Thinning, Exotic species control, Prescribed fire, Modified grazing, Fencing
  
  
• Forest Species-at-Risk Priority Area
  Reforestation, Exotic species control, Fencing
  
  
• Lower Cedar Valley Priority Area
  Native grass and forb establishment, Prescribed Fire, Woody encroachment removal, Invasive species control
  
  
• Algific Slope Protection
  Sink hole buffers, Fencing
  
  
• Timber Rattlesnake Priority Area
  Cedar tree removal, Prescribed fire
  
  
• Topeka Shiner Priority Area
  Native grass and forb establishment, Fencing, Oxbow Restoration, Grazing modification
  
  
• Loess Hills
  Prescribed fire

These are only examples of eligible practices. Individual plans will be made with each individual landowner.