The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program stands as a cornerstone of ecological preservation across the United States. Operating across all 50 states and territories, this initiative hinges on a crucial element: The Partners. These dedicated individuals, primarily private landowners, collaborate with 220 skilled biologists to champion the cause of wildlife habitat conservation and enhancement. Recognizing that nearly 70 percent of the nation’s land is privately held, the program understands that the partners – these landowners – are indispensable allies in safeguarding America’s diverse fish, wildlife, and plant species.
This voluntary program is meticulously designed to align with the unique needs and aspirations of each landowner. The partners retain full ownership and management control of their land, while simultaneously contributing to vital wildlife conservation efforts. This collaborative approach ensures that conservation goals are achieved without compromising the rights or operational needs of the partners involved.
The program provides invaluable resources to the partners, offering free technical and financial assistance throughout the entire habitat restoration process. From the initial planning and design stages to project supervision and ongoing monitoring, expert staff guide the partners every step of the way. The scope of these projects is remarkably diverse, ranging from small-scale wetland enhancements spanning a few acres to extensive grassland restorations encompassing hundreds of thousands of acres.
A significant aspect of the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program is its focus on working landscapes. Many projects undertaken by the partners are integrated within forests, farms, and ranches, demonstrating that conservation and land management can coexist harmoniously. The program strategically directs its resources towards areas of critical conservation concern, including upland forests, wetlands, native prairies, marshes, rivers, and streams. Projects are thoughtfully designed to provide tangible benefits to federal trust species, encompassing migratory birds, as well as endangered, threatened, and at-risk species.
The program warmly welcomes all private landowners who are passionate about restoring wildlife habitat on their properties. The partners in this endeavor represent a diverse spectrum, including farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, recreational landowners, corporations, local governments, and universities. While all eligible landowners are encouraged to apply, projects that demonstrate a high likelihood of benefiting rare, threatened, and endangered species are given priority. Participating in the program signifies a commitment to conservation, with projects having a minimum duration of 10 years. Beyond private landowners, the program fosters collaboration with other federal agencies, state agencies, and non-governmental organizations, amplifying the collective impact of the partners involved in private land conservation.
Crucially, the partners who engage in these conservation projects do not relinquish any property rights, nor are they obligated to permit public access to their land. Initiating this impactful partnership is remarkably straightforward. A simple phone call or email to your state coordinator is all it takes to begin. This initial contact paves the way for a site visit and provides an opportunity to discover how the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program can empower you, as one of the partners, to make a lasting difference for wildlife conservation.
