Upland and grasslands habitats are critically important for breeding waterfowl and pheasants as they are ground nesting species. Uplands and grasslands are extremely limited within California and the lack of these types of breeding habitats are linked to the decline of ourresident breeding waterfowl and game birds. Furthermore, uplands are susceptible to encroachment of invasive weeds, shrubs and trees that ultimately reduce the quality of the habitat, for ground nesting birds. In order to ensure that an upland continues to provide high quality breeding habitat, it must be regularly managed and many landowners to not have the resources or knowledge of how to conduct the appropriate management. Therefore, we have established a program focused on improving the quality of existing upland and grasslandhabitats on private lands across the state.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
Upland Management Agreements (UMA) are one of the many habitat enhancement practices available through the Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program (NBHIP). These UMAs are designed to work with private landowners and provide financial assistance to improve and maintain upland habitats on their properties. Through this program, landowners may enroll in 3- year agreements and receive an Annual Work Plan (AWP) that provides detailed descriptions of work that must be completed to improve upland/grassland habitat on their property. Once all work, detailed in the AWP, is completed, the landowners receive an incentive payment.
Incentive Rate and Funding:
- The incentive rate for this program is $30/acre and payments are made annually in arrears and there will be $100,000 available for the 2025 nesting season.
Program Area:
- Enrollment for this program is constrained to the Central Valley and the associated planning regions, as designated by the Central Valley Joint Venture.
Eligible Applications:
- Upland perennial grass habitats on private lands (10 acre minimum)
- Summer water is located within 1/2 mile of upland.
- If management of wetland units are under the control of the landowner, they must be fully flooded (minimum depth of 12-24 inches at outflow) from April 1 –August 1 (may be flooded longer than this if desired by the landowner).
- Allow access for nest monitoring on the property.
Ineligible Applications:
- Upland habitats that have no perennial grasses. No summer water within 1 mile of the uplands. Uplands enrolled in any annual incentive program (e.g., California Waterfowl Habitat (Presley) Program) that provides payment to conduct upland management actions.
Ranking and selection:
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee that is made up of biologists from CWA and representatives from each of the following Department Programs: Waterfowl, Upland and Small Game, Wetland Conservation Program (including the Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program). After the solicitation closes, all applications will be evaluated and scored based on the following ranking categories:
| Ranking and Scoring Upland Management Agreements |
Max Points 55 |
|
1. Proximate Water Sources within 1/2 mile of field (Include all that apply). 8 pt = Managed Summer Wetland |
17 |
|
2. What type of brood/summer water will be within 1/2 mile of the habitat project? 5 pt = Reverse cycle wetland |
5 |
|
3. Size of Uplands 8 pt = 50 or more acres |
8 |
|
4. Continuity and Edge Impacts 4 pt = Low perimeter/area ratio |
4 |
|
5. Other Qualities and Conservation 3 pt = The property has successfully participated in NBHIP or other Conservation Programs |
3 |
|
6. Potential for Net Gain in Resource Availability 4 pt = Management would significantly improve habitat quality for resident waterfowl and other upland nesting game birds in the region |
4 |
|
7. Operations and Management Support 4 pt = Property has demonstrated the ability to management habitats on the property and will likely be able to complete prescribed NBHIP management actions |
4 |
|
8. Proximity to State Wildlife Areas and National Wildlife Refuges. 5 pt = Protected area within 0 - 1 miles |
5 |
|
9. Proximity to protected Private Lands (Presley Program or Conservation Easements) 5 pt = Protected area within 0 - 1 miles |
5 |
WANT TO PARTICIPATE?
This program will be open for applications from February 18 - March 31, 2025.
If you have questions, please contact Jason Coslovich at (408)644-3525 or jcoslovich@calwaterfowl.org.
