Conservation

Conservation •

New Waterbird Habitat Enrollment Opportunity

New Waterbird Habitat Enrollment Opportunity

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is taking applications for the Migratory Bird Resurgence Initiative (MBRI). California has $500,000 available. Please call or visit your local NRCS office to apply.  Due to the current compressed planting season, we have confirmed with NRCS that you can register your interest in the opportunity with just a phone call by May 24, but then you will still need to sign your application in person by May 31.

Major Practices included:

  1. Winter flooding with variable drawdown (Staggered drawdown starting Feb. 10)
  2. Seasonal flooding with gradual drawdown (Three weeks flooding between July & Sept.)
  3. Conservation Cover (Establishing vegetation on non-farmed areas like road and ditch edges)
  4. Residue management with boards-in (Reduced tillage with boards in water boxes, Nov.-Feb.)
  5. Temporary nesting islands (Non-planted islands in fields, May-Aug.)
  6. Habitat ponds (non-planted areas in fields with consistent water for broods, May-Aug.)

Eligible producers for MBRI must operate within Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Fresno, Madera, Merced, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter, Yolo, or Yuba counties. To apply, please call or visit your local NRCS office by the May 24 deadline.  If you have questions, please contact your NRCS office or Kristin Sesser, Wildlife Programs Manager for the California Rice Commission, at (916) 607-8988 or ksesser@calrice.org.

Local NRCS Office Contacts

CountiesAddressPhone number
Butte150 Chuck Yeager Way, Oroville, CA 95965530-534-0112
Colusa100 Sunrise Blvd Suite D, Colusa, CA 95932530-458-5131
Glenn132 N Enright Ave, Willows, CA 95988530-934-4601
Merced2926 G Street, Suite 103, Merced, CA 95340209-722-4119
Sacramento9701 Dino Dr, Suite 190, Elk Grove, CA 95624916-582-6637
San Joaquin7585 S. Longe Street, Stockton, CA 95206209-337-2124 Ext. 3
Stanislaus3800 Cornucopia Way Suite E, Modesto, CA 95358209-491-9320 Ext.3
Placer, Sutter, Yuba1521 Butte House Rd, Suite A, Yuba City, CA 95993530-671-0850
Yolo221 W Court St, Suite 3B, Woodland, CA 95695530-662-2037

Share this Story > | Print

More Conservation Stories

Winter Flooding Programs Update
Conservation •

Winter Flooding Programs Update

Here, we share a brief update on the winter-flooding programs being implemented this winter. We are happy to report that an additional $1 million has been added to the State’s California Winter Rice Habitat Incentive Program, which provides payment for winter flooding for next winter (2025-26).

READ MORE
Rice Levee Program – Deadline Reminder
Conservation •

Rice Levee Program – Deadline Reminder

California Waterfowl Association (CWA) is currently soliciting applications for the Rice Levee and Ag Corridors Program. This program is funded by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, through the Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program, which allows private landowners to submit bids for the management of their internal rice levees or road edges for upland nesting bird species (Mallard, Gadwall and Pheasant). To participate in this program, rice levees and roads must be reconstructed or mowed before January 1st or left from previous growing season. Enrolled areas must be left undisturbed until July 15th.

READ MORE