THE ISSUE
Wildlife and Habitat Conservation is an important aspect of protecting the environment for future generations. Maintaining, conserving and in some cases creating habitable areas for the planet’s diverse species population is important, and programs have been and continue to be developed to encourage this preservation. In Wisconsin, many programs exist to protect both many species of wildlife and the habitats these species depend on for survival.

HABITAT CONSERVATION
CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM
The conservation reserve program creates contracts between the government and agricultural land owners. The program is administered through the Farm Service Agency, and relies on annual rental payments and a cost-share plan.

The steps required by the Conservation Reserve Program are designed to stem the negative effects of some agricultural practices. The program works to reduce soil erosion, reduce sedimentary deposits in surrounding bodies of water, and attempts to enhance existing forestation. The program also encourages the planting of new tamer vegetation in areas where erosion is likely.

WILDLIFE HABITAT INCENTIVES PROGRAM
The Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) is a nationwide program aimed at promoting voluntary preservation efforts on private lands. The program relies on individual landowners choosing to develop and implement a wildlife habitat development plan. These plans are presented to the National Resources Conservation Service, who will then determine national funding.

Any type of land is eligible for this program. In developing a proposed plan, landowners must determine how they create or improve the habitat, maintain the habitat, and fund their part in a cost-sharing agreement.





ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is another voluntary conservation program. It helps agricultural land owners balance production agriculture with environmental quality and environment conservation practices. Specifically, the programs aims at retuning nutrients to the agricultural land and encouraging environmentally-friendly pest control.

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
WISCONSIN ENDANGERED RESOURCE FUND
The Wisconsin Endangered Resource Fund works to conserve both seriously endangered species and local species essential to maintaining diversity in Wisconsin’s wildlife. The Fund uses private donations to fund their efforts, as well as state-matching and federal funding. The Fund also works to increase awareness about the plight of many of Wisconsin’s species and different ways individuals can participate in conservation efforts.

WISCONSIN’S TRUMPETER SWAN FUND

The Trumpeter Swan Fund works to specifically study and protect the Wisconsin Trumpeter Swan population. Donations to the program go toward monitoring the current swan population as well as educating Wisconsin’s population.







ADOPT AN EAGLE’S NEST PROGRAM

The Adopt an Eagle’s Nest Program is devoted to studying and protecting the bald eagle population in Wisconsin. Once an endangered species, the bald eagle population has been making a slow but significant comeback. This program looks to study the movements of this population and protect the animals for the enjoyment of future generations.