Native Warm Season Grass/Forb Program
The AGFC has initiated new component to the program which offers specific emphasis on bobwhite quail and other grassland songbirds. Through the program, cooperators may receive packets of native warm season grasses and forbs. Native warm season grasses and forbs are excellent nesting, brood-rearing and escape cover for bobwhite quail and associated grassland birds, but benefit many other species of wildlife, including deer and turkeys. The number of seed packets provided will depend upon the number of acres enrolled by cooperators and annual budgets.
Program Guidelines and Requirements of the NWSG component:
- The application deadline for consideration in the NWSG component is Jan. 31 each year.
- A minimum of 5 contiguous acres is required to participate.
- Must own or have at least a 5-year lease on the property.
- Must have access to planting equipment (tractor, ATV, disc, etc.)
- Can’t use Acres for Wildlife as part of another government program.
- If cattle are present, they must be excluded from the NWSG land. Cattle may be grazed on these acres after 2-4 growing seasons with proper fencing if determined beneficial to improving the habitat for wildlife. However, cattle can only be grazed on these acres according to an approved prescribed grazing plan approved by an AGFC private lands biologist. Any grazing allowed will normally be for very short periods and once per year in most years.
- If cattle are not present, but are acquired after the contract, the landowner must exclude those cattle from their NWSG land and follow the same grazing rules. If cattle are not excluded and landowner or land manager does not follow an approved prescribed grazing plan, the landowner must reimburse the AGFC the cost of the seed.
- This is a competitive program, and applicants will receive seed based on their ranking done by an AGFC private lands biologist.
- Participant agrees to plant within prescribed planting dates in their contract.
- The seed must be planted in the first year and maintained for 5 years to establish and maintain early successional/open land quail habitat.
- If for any reason, the landowner or land manager does not maintain the contracted acres funded by the program for the 5-year contract period, he/she must reimburse AGFC for the seed.
- Participants installing practices that require federal, state, or local permits are responsible for obtaining those permits.
- The participant receiving seed shall hold the state government harmless for either of the following actions by the participant:
- Infringement on the rights of others.
- Failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations.
- All landowners wishing to receive NWSG seed are entitled to technical assistance and/or sign-off on their wildlife habitat plan from an AGFC private lands biologist.
- Any modifications to the wildlife habitat plan that received NWSG Program ranking points should be approved by an AGFC private lands biologist before the modification.
Contact Information
Contact any of the following AGFC offices for additional information regarding Acres for Wildlife and other private lands programs:
- Brinkley – 877-734-4581
- Calico Rock – 877297-4331
- Camden – 877-836-4612
- Fort Smith – 877-478-1043
- Hope – 877-777-5580
- Hot Springs – 877-525-8606
- Jonesboro – 877-972-5438
- Little Rock – 877-470-3650
- Monticello – 877-367-3559
- Russellville – 877-967-7577