Habitat Stewardship Program

 

Application Fees - The application fee for private landowners is $150 and for public greenspaces, parks, and refuges is $250. Upon submitting the application, the following page will provide a link to the payment portal. 

 

 

 

Rubric - ADD LINK HERE

Categories and Subcategories – Each property needs to adhere to category sections 1 (Habitat) and 2 (Community Engagement and Education) for a successful application. Category 3 (Research and Monitoring) is optional. Subcategories fall under the categories.

Criteria - The numbered items under each subcategory. For private lands (Types 1 and 2), a minimum of nine criteria needs to be met. For public lands (Types 2 and 3), eleven criteria need to be met. The specific number of criteria per category is listed directly under the heading. Criteria can be met if they are already being applied, or if there is a plan in place to apply them (e.g., if you are not already implementing prescribed fire, but plan to start burning this year, you may select prescribed fire as a criterion under Habitat: Best Management Practices). Documentation of criteria is required, and updates will be required in the annual monitoring reports.

All selected criteria require a description and some require photo documentation or attachments. Descriptions can be as brief or as lengthy as needed to properly provide an overview of the selected criteria. At least one photo is required, but multiple are encouraged. Please note that a property can be working towards the selected criteria. If you do not currently meet certain criteria, but you intend to implement them within the next year, please add a description to document the plans. Enrollees are to provide updates in annual monitoring reports.

1. Habitat

1. Certification and Planning
2. Best Management Practices
3. Land Management Pledges

2. Community Engagement and Education

1. Activities Specific to Public Lands
2. Activities Specific to Private Lands

3. Research and Monitoring (Optional)

1. Invasive Species Reporting
2. Rare Species Reporting
3. Ecological Research and Monitoring 

 

Please note that annual monitoring reports are required to document progress or delays and develop a plan for the upcoming year with the Stewardship Coordinator. This will be completed via an online portal that includes spaces to attach photos or appropriate documents for the specific criteria selected in the initial application and additional criteria if appropriate. The monitoring report should be completed as close to the enrollment anniversary as possible. An automated reminder email will be sent 2 months prior to the enrollment anniversary with a copy of your original application.