Habitat Management Enhancement Activities

• New Jersey Habitat Management Overview
• Enhanced Filter Strip
• Manage for Native Grass Species
• Defer Clipping, Haying and Mowing

Habitat Management Enhancement Activities Overview

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New Jersey Habitat Management Enhancement Activities (194 kb)

The Conservation Security Program (CSP) offers a limited number of enhancement payments as incentives to reward or encourage activities that improve wildlife habitat quality and quantity on agricultural operations.

Benefits

These activities will provide observable improvements in wildlife habitat by providing:

• undisturbed nesting areas for grassland birds
• habitat for beneficial insects
• diversity in the supply of food and cover types

CSP Payments

A participant can earn payments by initiating or maintaining any of the following activities:

• Manage borders around all fields to a minimum width of 30 feet.
• Manage grassed areas on the farm (pastures, hay fields, odd areas) so that more than 3 native species are present per stand. Management includes over-seeding, proper liming and fertilization or other means.
• In conjunction with the above, defer mowing, clipping or haying these areas during the nesting season. No mowing, clipping or haying activities are performed between April 15 and July 15.

Client’s Acknowledgement Statement

I have elected to use the following Habitat Management activities and understand the requirements of the selected activities (Check all that apply):

 Manage enhanced field borders to a minimum width of 30’ to provide beneficial habitat for insects and ground-nesting birds. (NJHabitat01)
 Manage grassed areas of the farm so that more than 3 native species per stand are maintained in order to provide vegetative diversity for wildlife. (NJHabitat02)
 In addition to the above, defer all clipping, haying and mowing between April 15 and July 15 to preserve habitat for ground-nesting birds. (NJHabitat03)


I agree that the following information will be provided to NRCS upon request:
• Written documentation of the activity performed (use attached worksheets or equivalent).
• Copies of dated receipts for equipment or services purchased.

I understand that CSP Enhancements earnings are subject to payment caps and that my actual payments will depend on my CSP Tier level, the land area affected and the number of activities performed.

I understand that it is my responsibility to obtain all necessary permits and to comply with all laws, regulations and ordinances pertaining to the application of these activities.
 

Enhanced Filter Strip

Filter strips are areas of herbaceous vegetation situated between cropland, grazing land, forest land, or disturbed land and environmentally sensitive areas. Sensitive areas include streams, lakes, wetlands, and other water bodies and areas susceptible to damage by water-borne pollutants, including sediment, particulate organics, sediment-adsorbed contaminants, and dissolved contaminants.

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Enhanced Filter Strip (142 kb)

Manage for Native Grass Species

Native grasses can provide better food sources and the availability of cover for a multitude of species, including birds, beneficial insects, and native predators. They can provide benefits to not only the native declining species, but to the overall agricultural operation as well.

Native grasses can be encouraged or managed through proper mowing, liming and fertilization techniques, and over-seeding when needed.

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Manage for Native Grass Species (85 kb)

Defer Clipping, Haying and Mowing

Native grasses can provide better food sources and the availability of cover for a multitude of species, including birds, beneficial insects, and native predators. They can provide benefits to not only the native declining species, but to the overall agricultural operation as well.

Grassland birds usually nest and fledge their young between April 15 and July 15 in most areas of New Jersey. By protecting grassed areas from clipping, haying and mowing during these months, the nests are protected from destruction. Grazing is normally a compatible activity, as livestock will instinctively avoid the nest areas. However, pastures should not be clipped during this time.

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Defer Clipping, Haying and Mowing (84 kb)

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Last Modified: May 27, 2008