Frankfort, KY (January 10, 2004) - Kentucky landowners who want to participate in the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program have until February 18, 2005 to sign-up at their local U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service office to be considered for the 2005 program year.

Applications received after February 18, 2005 will be held until the next evaluation period.

The Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program provides landowners an opportunity to conduct wildlife habitat improvement projects on their property. The program provides up to 75 percent cost-share for eligible practices on their land.

The primary focus for the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program in Kentucky for 2005 is to create and restore early successional habitats. Early successional habitats are open areas such as former pastures, old fields or agricultural lands that are beginning to return to their natural state. Planting native grasses, shrubs and wildlife friendly grasses are eligible practices for 2005 Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program cost-share assistance.

Other eligible practices for the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program include installing filter strips to control erosion in planted fields, improving forest stands, planting field borders and trees, constructing wildlife watering holes, planting trees and other plants along the edges of streams and fencing to exclude livestock from sensitive areas.

Applications for the program are evaluated and ranked to determine which applications benefit wildlife habitat the most. For more information on the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program, please contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office or call the KDFWR at 1-800-858-1549 to contact your local private lands biologist.