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The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) in Hawaii

Fiscal Year 2005 Program Highlights

Focus on Native, Threatened and Endangered Species Habitats

WHIP projects concentrate on the following habitats on non-agricultural or agricultural lands:

  • Native forests/riparian areas adjacent or connected to a native forest reserve, wildlife refuge, or other preserved forest/riparian areas
  • Coastal habitats that support rare plants, seabirds, monk seals, or turtles
  • Streams with native organisms
  • Anchialine Pools
  • Migratory bird habitat
  • Threatened/Endangered Species habitat (vertebrates, invertebrates, plants)
  • Wetlands (taro lo`i with endangered water bird potential, Montane bogs, coastal wetlands)
  • Caves with Rare Species

The Natural Resources Conservation Service is taking applications until December 17, 2004 for the first ranking cycle and until February 18, 2005 for the second sign-up. The process involves the following:

  1. Sign up using the Conservation Program Agreement form CCC-1200, at any NRCS Field or State Office.
  2. Talk with the NRCS Field or State Office staff to determine eligibility:
    • Will your proposed project benefit native wildlife?
    • Do you have title or a long term (minimum 5 year) lease? (You must submit proof by the sign-up deadline.)

    If the land is leased, do you have permission from the landowner to implement planned conservation practices on the land? (Concurrence letter from the landowner must be received by the last day of the sign-up period.)

    • Are there structural practices (e.g. alien invasive species control, fencing, native tree planting, water bird habitat restoration activities) planned?
    • Will you agree to continue wildlife management practices for the life of the contract?
  3. If all of the answers in question two were “yes”, work with NRCS staff to rank your project and develop a project bid.

Visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/whip to learn more about the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program. To find your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office on the web, go to www.hi.nrcs.usda.gov. You can also contact Gwen Gilbert, Program Manager at 541-2600 ext. 122. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, (WHIP)
Hawaii

Accepting Applications
At These Locations:


Hilo Service Center
Federal Building
154 Waianuenue Avenue, Room 322
Hilo, Hawaii 96720-2452
Phone: (808) 933-8381, ext 8367 Fax: (808) 933-6960 		Lihue Service Center
4334 Rice Street, Room 104
Lihue, Hawaii 96766-1801
Phone: (808) 245-6513 Fax: (808) 245-4639
 

NRCS Hoolehua Field Office
Maunaloa Highway (near Airport)
P.O. Box 396
Hoolehua, Hawaii 96729-0396
Phone: (808) 567-6868 then 2 Fax: (808) 567-9062
NRCS Wailuku Field Office
Millyard Plaza
210 Imi Kala Street, Suite 209
Wailuku, Hawaii 96793-2100
Phone: (808) 244-3729 Fax: (808) 242-7005

NRCS Waimea Field
Kamuela Business Center Building, 2nd Floor
Mamalahoa Highway
P.O. Box 1089
Kamuela, Hawaii 96743-1089
Phone: (808) 885-6602 Fax: (808) 885-4420
Aiea Service Center
Hawaii Agricultural Research Center
99-193 Aiea Heights Drive, Suite 207
Aiea, Hawaii 96701
Phone: (808) 483-8600 then 3 Fax: (808) 483-8615
 

Kealakekua Service Center
81-948 Waena Oihana Loop
Kealakekua, Hawaii 96750-0636
Phone: (808) 322-2484 Fax: (808) 322-3735

 
NRCS Hawaii State Office
Federal Building
300 Ala Moana Blvd
P.O. Box 50004
Honolulu, HI 96850
(808) 541-2600, ext. 109 Fax: (808) 541-1335