July 25 deadline to apply for NCRS migratory bird program

Bart Devillier, district conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in St. Martin and Lafayette Parishes, encourages agricultural producers to consider enrolling a portion of their land in NRCS’s Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative (MBHI).
Through MBHI, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers statewide to develop and enhance habitat for migratory birds.
“Interested ag producers should visit our office as soon as possible, because the application period for the first MBHI ranking ends July 25th,” said Devillier. “This initiative is very popular in Louisiana and is one of the most popular initiatives in NRCS history.”
Through MBHI, NRCS will work with agricultural producers to create or enhance shallow water, mud flat, and moist soil habitats to benefit a variety of migratory birds.
MBHI projects provide:
•Food and critical habitat for bird populations;
•Much-needed water during drought;
•Support for local economies by attracting hunters and bird watchers;
•New opportunities to improve wildlife management.
Interested producers should contact their local Natural Resources Conservation Service office at 262-6601, Ext. 3 in Lafayette and 332-2910, Ext. 3 in Breaux Bridge.
Funding for the 2014 MBHI will be provided through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Applications for EQIP funding are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year; however to be considered in the first MBHI ranking pool, applications must be received by close of business July 25, 2014.