Working Lands Habitat Program
Enrolling landHow it works
As the inaugural habitat program under Governor Noem's Second Century Initiative, administered by the Second Century Habitat Fund Inc. a 501(c)(3) it will provide a Working Lands habitat alternative to cropping marginal land. The focus of this program is to enroll marginal cropland such as saline and moist soils, field edges, other less productive soil types or areas producers want to manage as wildlife habitat for 5 or 10 years and seed it to a perennial grass and forb mix that can be hayed and grazed.
Payment
- One-time payment of (5yr) $150/acre or (10yr) $450 for West River Counties and (5yr) $250/acre or (10yr) $750 for East River Counties (and Tripp, Lyman, and Gregory)
- Seed is provided for free
Eligibility
- All cropland in South Dakota is eligible
- Minimum size per planting is 5 acres
- Maximum area enrolled per participant is 160 acres
- Participants agree not to charge any person or entity any fee or payment for hunting access to any property under their ownership or control. A person who has a commercial fee hunting establishment may not participate.
Seed and Planting
- Upon execution of the agreement, free seed will be shipped directly to participants.
- Seed mixes provided will consist of grasses and forks that provide high-quality ground nesting bird habitat and forage for livestock.
- Participants will be responsible for seedbed preparation, planting, and weed control during establishment.
- Grass or no-till drill is available through most local Conservation Districts.
- Pheasant Forever or SD Game, Fish, and Parks habitat biologists are available to provide technical assistance.
Working lands total acres
The Working Lands Program has seen consistent growth over its 4 years of availability. The average enrollment is 60.5 acres per landowner with 23 new contracts annually. SCHF pays over $250,000 each year in landowner contracts.
Access
- Hunting access will be by landowner permission.
- Landowners that enroll land in SD Game, Fish, and Parks Walk-In Area program will receive a one-time, upfront incentive of $10 per acre/year for the enrolled acres.
Haying and Grazing
- No haying or grazing is allowed until after August 1st of the second growing season.
- Between August 1 and March 1, enrollee can hay 50% of the acres each year or the entire acreage every other year.
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS TO MAXIMIZE HABITAT VALUE
- Plant adjacent to or near existing habitat such as wetlands, woody habitat, or food plots.
- Hay at 8" or higher to maintain nesting habitat on hayed acres.
Find a Habitat Advisor
These guys and gals are experts in conservation programs and habitat planning. They possess the knowledge of federal, state, and local programs to assist landowners in finding the right programs to meet their personal habitat and land use goals. They are available to assist landowners anywhere across the state in designing, developing, and funding habitat improvements on private lands.