Conservation

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Application Deadline Approaching for New Waterbird Habitat Program

Application Deadline Approaching for New Waterbird Habitat Program

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 for most counties 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. For producers in Butte County, you need to sign your application in person by May 24.

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. 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

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