USDA Providing Funds To Expand Access For Hunters, Fishers

USDA is making $52 million available to expand public access to private lands for hunting, fishing, and wildlife recreation.  Through the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, state and tribal governments can apply for funding to open new lands or enhance habitat on existing access areas.

“The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program is a critical source of funding for increasing public access to private lands for hunting and fishing, while also supporting farmers and contributing to habitat conservation efforts,” said NRCS Chief Aubrey J.D. Bettencourt. “This program is about opportunities for landowners and the public.”

Previous projects have opened millions of acres nationwide, including:

• Arizona Fish and Game Department opened 4.8 million acres of private and land-locked public lands in Arizona for public use
• Missouri Department of Conservation enrolled 30,000 acres into the Missouri Outdoor Recreation Access Program to increase and enhance wildlife habitat for small game and other wildlife species on private land in the state
• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife offered 75,000 acres to the public for hunting wild turkey, pheasant and big game, at no cost to the user. These acres are spread over six large counties. 

VPA-HIP is a competitive grants program available to state and tribal governments. Projects may last up to three years. Projects can receive up to $3 million, and project sponsors can use up to 25% of funds to provide incentives to landowners to improve wildlife habitat on enrolled public access program lands. 

Visit Grants.gov to learn more or to apply.  Applications are due June 8th.

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