Long-Billed Curlew CIS Project Enters Second Year
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, Huron, S.D., November 3, 2021 – USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in South Dakota is announcing the batching period for the Long-Billed Curlew Conservation Implementation Strategy (CIS), a subset of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The CIS' projects target EQIP funds to high-priority resource concerns such as wildlife habitat for declining species and watershed water quality protection. While applications are accepted year-round, the batching date for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY2022) funding will be December 3, 2021.
The Long-Billed Curlew CIS uses rotational grazing infrastructure and perennial vegetation seedings to increase livestock forage and Long-Billed Curlew habitat in parts of Harding, Perkins, and Meade Counties in South Dakota. The Long-Billed Curlew was chosen as the project's focal species because it needs both short and long grass for brood rearing and; therefore, encompasses habitat needs for many other grassland birds.
Rotating cattle among pastures instead of keeping them in one pasture can improve grass height and species diversity, boost plant health, and provide better forage for livestock by allowing plants to recover and grow between grazing periods.
Annual cropland is poor habitat for most wildlife species. By returning less productive fields to perennial grasses, landowners and managers can provide hay or grazing space as well as bird habitat. This is especially true when wildlife-friendly steps are taken, including hay harvests timed to occur after bird nesting and the provision of ramps that allow birds to safely drink from livestock tanks.
In 2021, the Curlew CIS project was able to provide $490,552 in financial assistance to producers within the project area. The funded applications resulted in 20,338 acres of prescribed grazing, two wells, seven pumps, 98,344 feet of pipeline, 36 tanks, 19,902 feet of cross-fence, and 135.3 acres seeded to cover crops and perennial forage.
Interested participants are encouraged to sign-up by December 3, 2021, to be considered for FY2022 funding. Anyone with questions on the Curlew CIS Project can contact the field offices that administer the project area: Buffalo (605) 375-3218, Bison (605) 244-5222, or Faith (605) 967-2561. Alternatively, please contact Project Lead Jessica Howell at jhowell@abcbirds.org.
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Phone: (605) 352-1200 | www.sd.nrcs.usda.gov
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