The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced Wisconsin will receive $1.2 million this year to address conservation needs in the Driftless Area through a special Conservation Initiative.

The focus will be to reduce soil erosion and and improve fish and wildlife habitat on the working lands, woodlands, prairies, and cold water streams in the Driftless Area. Grant, Lafayette and Iowa counties are among the 23 counties that have land in the eligible area.

“The Driftless Area is such a unique landscape, having been by-passed by the glaciers of the last Ice Age,” says Melissa Bartz, NRCS District Conservationist for Grant County. “However, our steep topography leaves it especially vulnerable to soil erosion. This special initiative is a great opportunity for us to focus on erosion and habitat concerns in this part of the state. ”

Farm and woodland owners in the Driftless Area may apply for financial assistance for conservation practices to address resource issues. Many practices are available depending on the land use and conservation need:

Working farm lands: Prescribed grazing, grassed waterway, field border, tree planting.

Forestland: Forest stand improvement, forest management plan.

Prairie/Savanna: Conservation cover, prescribed burning, brush management.

Cold water streams: Streambank and shoreline protection, stream habitat improvement and management, fence.

Interested landowners should contact the NRCS office at the USDA Service Center, 723-6377 ext. 3. Applications received by Aug. 3 will be considered for this year’s funds.

For more information, visit www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov, or contact the NRCS office at the USDA Service Center in Lancaster.