CANTON – The Wildlife Management Institute is offering financial assistance to producers in St. Lawrence County to address insufficient young forest habitat for targeted wildlife species, said a press release from the organization.

The institute is partnering with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Audubon New York, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Quality Deer Management Association, and the Ruffed Grouse Society on the iniative.

In recent years, the county and other areas of the state have experienced a decline in the populations of the New England Cottontail, Golden-Winged Warbler, American Woodcock and other species of native wildlife.

The reductions in population are associated with a decline of young forest; a crucial habitat type. The term “Young Forest” is used to describe ecosystems densely occupied with seedlings, saplings, shrubs, and other early-successional plants.

Through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), funding is available to private forest owners and operators for forest stewardship planning and for implementing practices that restore young forest habitat.

Local Partners and NRCS offices will work together to aid producers in planning and implementing conservation practices.

This RCPP partnership announces March 15, 2019 as the application cut-off date for the next round of funding.

All applications are competitive and are ranked based on locally identified resource priorities and the overall benefit to the environment.

Interested landowners should contact their local NRCS office for additional information and to obtain an application.

As part of application process, all landowners will need to complete USDA eligibility requirements. To find information on EQIP Eligibility please visit or to apply visit the usda website at www.nrcs.usda.gov and follow the links.

You may apply by visiting your local NRCS field office, which can be located using the web site offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=NY .