As 2026 gets underway, we all know how a new year can bring about a few changes. As we reflect on the old, we also envision the new. New ideas and opportunities can lead to better solutions. One good example is the Wildlife Habitat Initiative (WHI), a relatively new grassland habitat program that’s especially favorable to the northern bobwhite quail, pheasants, and other grassland-nesting birds!
Through a partnership with the National Bobwhite and Grasslands Initiative Foundation, the ODNR Division of Wildlife now has a funding source for landowners who are interested in creating grassland and related habitat on their farms and landscapes, purposed specifically to better supply the vital needs of several of Ohio’s native wildlife species.
Among the conservation practices a landowner can incorporate on their property through WHI are pollinator habitats, early successional habitat management, brush management, tree/shrub plantings, edge feathering, and more. Eligible lands include both cropland and non-cropland.
A minimum amount of 5 acres, either via one project or cumulative, must be enrolled in order to be eligible for WHI. A maximum of 60 points can be tallied through the ranking system, with 30 being the minimum threshold. Upon contract approval, incentive payments will cover up to 95% of the standard cost for each of the conservation practices established. Contracts range from 1 to 4 years, depending on the practice(s).
America’s privately-owned farms not only provide us with food and fiber, they also have the potential to support lots of wildlife. As do other rural and urban settings. Establishing more habitat on your property can provide a number of benefits, things like improving soil health, better water management, attract pollinators, or create more opportunities for hunting or bird watching, a win-win for you and for wildlife!
How do you get started down this path? First, contact either the SWCD Wildlife Specialist in your county or the ODNR Wildlife Management Consultant covering your area to discuss your conservation options and begin to put together a custom plan that will allow you to achieve your wildlife habitat objectives.
For more information about the Wildlife Habitat Initiative, we have a fact sheet that will provide you with brief descriptions of the conservation practices available through this program. Reach out to your area habitat specialists to chat about the possibilities that may exist in fostering a more durable, productive, and enjoyable ecosystem on your homestead.
https://erieconserves.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Wildlife-Habitat-Initiative-fact-sheet.pdf