Pollinator Partnership and NRCS Arkansas
In Arkansas, by 2023, a minimum of 3,500 acres of private land 500,000 acres of public land, and 7,000 acres of public and private rights-of-way will be enhanced, created, and restored to native habitats that support monarchs and pollinators. Help us reach our goal!
FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CONTACTS
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) – NRCS helps Arkansas producers conserve our valuable natural resources. We provide services to all private landowners who are interested in restoring and enhancing our sprawling landscape through a unique partnership with landowners, conservation districts, state and local governments, and rural and urban citizens. Our locally-based NRCS staff works directly with farmers, ranchers, foresters and others, to provide technical and financial conservation assistance.
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) - FSA provides a financial safety net to America’s farmers and ranchers, while at the same time protecting natural resources, and enhancing food security.
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) Private Lands Program - Find your local Private Lands Biologist (PLB) for free technical assistance from AGFC staff.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Partners for Fish and Wildlife - The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners interested in restoring and enhancing wildlife habitat on their land. Emphasis goes to projects with the potential to provide habitat for rare, threatened and endangered species; migratory birds and fish; and at-risk species.
Quail Forever Farm Bill Biologists - In partnership with NRCS and AGFC, Quail Forever employs field biologists throughout the state to provide free technical assistance. Our field biologist program is designed to assist farmers, landowners and the general public about the economic benefits of conservation programs, as well as delivering habitat programs that benefit pollinators and other wildlife. We call it the "One Stop Shop" for anything conservation and wildlife related on private and public lands.
Conservation District - The purpose and mission of The Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts is to assist the conservation districts of the state of Arkansas in their efforts to serve the soil and water conservation needs of the people of Arkansas.
INCENTIVE AND COST-SHARE PROGRAMS
NRCS- EQIP - NRCS is offering support for related practices through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) to establish monarch habitat.
NRCS - CSP - NRCS is offering support for related enhancements through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to establish monarch habitat.
NRCS - ACEP - The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) provides technical and financial assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits.
FSA - CRP - The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) pays a yearly rental payment in exchange for farmers removing environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and planting species that will improve environmental quality.
AGFC - Acres for Wildlife - Acres for Wildlife is a free environmental action program of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission which targets all wildlife species and gives special emphasis on species of greatest conservation concern. It improves habitat and encourages landowners to consider wildlife in conjunction with good farming, livestock production, and forestry practices. The program does not retire cropland or grazing land, nor does it open “posted” land to hunters. This is left entirely to the discretion of the owner.
FWS - Partners for Fish and Wildlife - The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners interested in restoring and enhancing wildlife habitat on their land. Emphasis goes to projects with the potential to provide habitat for rare, threatened and endangered species; migratory birds and fish; and at-risk species. Projects are custom-designed and tailored to meet landowners’ needs and objectives.
INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES
Arkansas NRCS Pollinator Conservation Planning Handbook
Arkansas Monarch and Pollinator Conservation Plan
Arkansas Monarch Conservation Partnership - consists of over 30 partners representing citizens, conservation and agricultural organizations, government agencies, municipalities, utilities, and agribusinesses. The Partnership seeks to work with all entities within the state who are interested in promoting pollinator conservation on public lands as well as agricultural and non-agricultural private lands and rights-of-way.
Bee Friendly Farming (BFF) - a certification program from Pollinator Partnership that provides guidelines for farmers and growers to help protect, preserve and promote pollinator health on their lands.
POLLINATOR AND HABITAT VIDEOS, WEBINARS, PODCASTS
Quail Forever in Arkansas:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvSPkVyHrGXBn-0z_7h3l_g/videos
Arkansas Monarch Conservation Partnership – Pollinator Forum:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXm9CFbm8-HbRUvbe6jsjiQ/videos
An Introduction to the Arkansas NRCS Pollinator Conservation Planning Handbook:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_to1zjAZmU
Arkansas Forestry Association Podcast: Voices of Forestry Episode 16 – Pollinators:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0wsKVQQb2sqUknyjODlmzX?si=ktKCu0F0S06kBeAQvte9fw&dl_branch=1&nd=1
NATIVE SEED VENDORS & HABITAT CREATION RESOURCES
Our ecoregional planting guides, Selecting Plants for Pollinators, are tailored to specific areas of the United States. You can find out which ecoregion you live in and get your free guide by entering your zip code.
One of the most valuable things that citizens and landowners can do for monarch and pollinator conservation is to create, enhance, or restore native habitat. These are resources available to private landowners who are interested in converting larger areas to monarch and pollinator habitat.
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever's Native Seed Program - Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever's Native Seed Program provides landowners the ability to purchase custom and pre-packaged pollinator seed mixes at an affordable price. Our diverse mixes have been designed by a team of wildlife biologists to meet state and federal standards while providing quality habitat for birds, bees and butterflies. There are Arkansas-specific seed mixes for ecoregions across the state.
Grow Native Resource Page - Complete guide to seed vendors, contractors and all things native.