posted on August 14, 2009 05:01
SAFE Acres Over 100,000 in 2009, Top 200,000 Acres Nationwide
SAFE needs reallocation of acres and extra acreage allotment for its continuous success
Saint Paul, Minn. – The wild-life-oriented practice, also known as State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) program, has now a present enrollee of 203,874 acres nationally. This is to include the 30,000 acres enrolled in the program last three months.
A goal of 500,000 acres for SAFE was established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), part of the larger federal Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP). SAFE is a wildlife-specific conservation practice that was announced in 2007. This program allows states to cater policies specific to their wildlife and habitat.
SAFE demands include South Dakota (50,004 acres), Minnesota (22,476 acres), and Nebraska (20,947 acres). These states are at or near their initial SAFE acreage allotment.
Last year, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever asked for an additional 500,000 acres nationwide for the program based on strong interest and demand for SAFE in multiple states during the contract signing ceremony in South Dakota.
These two organizations have been instrumental in both the development and delivery of the SAFE program. During the organization’s National Pheasant Fest 2008, initial SAFE projects were announced. With the help of Farm Bill Biologist program, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have worked to educate farmers and landowners about the benefits of conservation programs, including SAFE, and assist them right after its implementation.
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