Habitat Conservation Scientific Services (HCSS)

This document highlights some of the private landowner tools available through and/or supported by the FWC's Landowner Assistance Program.

Program	Purpose
Education and Outreach
Habitat Management Workshops and Field Days	Offered year round to the public. Provides educational information and learning opportunities about habitat management. HCSS staff help organize and implement at least 10 workshops statewide every year. If interested in attending a workshop or field day, please visit the website and/or contact a HCSS biologist.
Florida Forest Steward Newsletter	The newsletter is produced quarterly and intended to provide landowners with current and useful information on land management from a multiple-use perspective. The newsletter is free of charge.
Wildlife Habitat Management Calendar	The calendar provides monthly habitat management tips and reminders for landowners in Florida. Visit the web link to download a copy or contact a HCSS biologist to request a hardcopy.
Electronic Data Information Source - UF/IFAS Extension	A collection of information on topics relevant to you: profitable and sustainable agriculture, our environment and natural resources, youth programs, FL-friendly landscapes, and much more. Try a search!
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Land Conservation
Conservation Easements or Conservation Easements	A voluntary option for conserving your property forever. HCSS staff can provide information on local land trusts available to help landowners explore easement options.
Florida Forever Program	A conservation land buying program administered by the Division of State Lands. HCSS biologists can assist with evaluation of specific areas targeted for acquisition.
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Property Tax Incentives
DR - 418c (Conservation Exemption)	This law provides full property tax exemption for land dedicated in perpetuity and used exclusively for conservation purposes. Applications and supporting documents are due to your property appraiser before March 1^st.
D R - 482c (Conservation Assessment)	This law provides a partial property tax exemption (up to 50%) for conservation land that is used for commercial purposes such as agriculture. Applications and supporting documents are due to your property appraiser before March 1^st.
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Technical Assistance
General Technical Assistance	HCSS biologists are available to provide general technical assistance related to wildlife-habitat management. Please contact a HCSS biologist if you are in need of general technical assistance for your property.
Florida Wildlife Conservation Guide	An online resource which facilitates effective land use planning, project design, and habitat management while conserving the rural and environmentally sensitive areas important to Florida's fish and wildlife species.
Conservation Technical Assistance Program (CTA)	Administered by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. The Conservation Technical Assistance Program provides technical assistance supported by science-based technology and tools to help landowners conserve, maintain, and improve their natural resources. The Program provides the technical capability, including direct conservation planning, design, and implementation assistance that consider soil, water, air, plants, and animals. HCSS staff help implement the Conservation Technical Assistance Program and can provide more detailed information on how this program can help you.
Forest Stewardship Program (FSP)	Administered by Florida Forest Service. The Forest Stewardship Program seeks to help private landowners develop a plan designed to increase the economic value of their forestland while maintaining its environmental integrity for future generations. Stewardship is based on the multiple-use land strategy. Please visit the website to learn more about the program and how to apply. HCSS staff help implement the Forest Stewardship Program and can provide more detailed information as needed.
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Financial Assistance
Landowner Assistance Program (LAP)	Administered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The purpose of LAP is to improve habitat conditions for wildlife by focusing conservation efforts on high priority habitats outlined in Florida's Wildlife Action Plan. HCSS biologists make specific recommendations (i.e. prescribed burning, ground cover restoration, etc.) that can be cost-shared to restore and conserve degraded habitats such as sandhill and scrub. An application will need to be filled out.
Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program (PFW)	Administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Provides technical and up to 50 percent cost-share assistance to private landowners and other partners who conduct habitat restoration and improvement activities on their land. The focus of the program in Florida is on restoration of native habitats, restoration of degraded streams and wetlands, and eradication of invasive, exotic species. Please visit the website or contact a HCSS biologist for more information.
Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP)	Administered by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. Provides both technical and financial assistance to establish and improve fish and wildlife habitat. HCSS staff help implement WHIP and can provide more information as needed. Please visit the website to determine eligibility and contact your local NRCS agent or a HCSS biologist if interested in enrolling.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) See also CIG	Administered by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. Provides both technical assistance and up to 75 percent cost-share assistance to farmers and ranchers who face threats to soil, water, air, and related natural resources. HCSS staff help implement EQIP and can provide more information as needed. Please visit the website to determine eligibility and contact your local NRCS agent or a HCSS biologist if interested in enrolling.
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Easement Programs
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)	Administered by USDA's Farm Service Agency. Provides annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term, resource conserving covers on eligible farmland. Please visit the website to determine eligibility and contact your local NRCS agent or a HCSS biologist if interested in enrolling.
Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)	Administered by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. Provides an opportunity for landowners to receive financial incentives (through an easement agreement or a cost-share agreement) to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands in exchange for retiring marginal land from agriculture. Please visit the website to determine eligibility and contact your local NRCS agent or a HCSS biologist if interested in enrolling.
Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)	Administered by USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service. Offers landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance grasslands on their property. The program conserves vulnerable grasslands from conversion to cropland and other uses by helping maintain viable ranching operations through cost-sharing and rental payments Please visit the website to determine eligibility and contact your local NRCS agent or a HCSS biologist if interested in enrolling.
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Other Opportunities
Conservation Security Program (CSP)	Defines and rewards those farmers and ranchers (producers) who meet the highest standards of conservation and management on their operations. Please check the website or contact your local NRCS agent or a HCSS biologist for more details on the program and targeted watersheds this year.
Conservation Cooperatives	Creating a cooperative helps coordinate conservation efforts on a landscape level while providing multiple benefits to participating landowners (public and private) such as: increased communication, tool sharing, work days, dedicated assistance from resource professionals, etc. Contact a HCSS biologist to learn about existing cooperatives and/or how to create a cooperative in your area.
Ecosystem Restoration Partnership Teams NW FL Ecosystem Restoration Partnership Teams NC FL: N/A Lake Wales Ridge Scrub Ecosystem Restoration Partnership Teams	Administered by The Nature Conservancy (TNC).These teams are being made available to assist landowners directly on-the-ground with habitat management efforts such as prescribed burning and invasive/exotic plant removal. HCSS biologists can help direct landowners to these sources of assistance. Please check the websites to find out more information.
Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site Program	FWC administers the statewide gopher tortoise management plan and accepts applications from eligible landowners who are interested in becoming a gopher tortoise recipient site. Please visit the website for additional information and application details.
Safe Harbor Program	Participating landowners are relieved of regulatory concerns regarding endangered species land management when agreeing to manage for the species' net benefit. Please visit the website for more information and contact a HCSS biologist if interested.
Operation Oak Program	Administered by the National Wild Turkey Federation. Designed to create and restore wildlife habitat by providing free, mast-producing trees to willing landowners. Please visit the website or contact a HCSS biologist.
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Recognition Programs
Private Lands Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Award	Administered by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Nominations must be submitted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This national award is presented annually to one landowner.
Landowner Assistance Program Certification	Administered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Wildlife Friendly Designation Program	Administered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and offered for "developments."
Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award	Administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Forest Stewardship Program (FSP) Certification	Administered by the Florida Forest Service.
Wild Turkey Woodlands Program	Administered by the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Gopher Tortoise Conservation Awareness	Administered by the American Forest Foundation, Forests for Watersheds and Wildlife Program.
Certified Family Forest	Administered by the American Tree Farm System.
Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program or Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program	Administered by the National Wildlife Federation and the Florida Wildlife Extension.

For assistance with any of these programs or additional inquires please contact us or call the Landowner Assistance Program coordinator at 850-488-3831.