This document provides information on wildlife habitat practices that farmers can implement on their land. It discusses 5 priority habitat types in Virginia, including upland grasslands and riparian corridors. It also describes the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, which provides technical and financial assistance to farmers to establish wildlife habitat practices. Some practices discussed include establishing field borders, converting fescue pastures to native warm season grasses, prescribed burning, and hardwood tree management. The document encourages farmers to take steps to improve wildlife habitat on their land in order to benefit biodiversity, create a conservation legacy, and potentially generate additional income from activities like hunting or hiking trails.

1. WILDLIFE HABITAT
PRACTICES FOR YOUR
FARMPresented by: Tiffany Beachy
Private Lands Wildlife Biologist
Smithfield, VA

2. Picture your farm…

3. Who else lives there?

4. Add Intrinsic value to your property
• Manage areas for wildlife
• Create a legacy that will last for generations
• Act now to help the wildlife that share the land
with you!

5. What can I do??

6. Priority Habitats
• Emphasis on habitats of national, regional, or state
significance
• 5 priority habitat types in Virginia:
1. Upland grassland habitat
2. Riparian corridor habitat
3. Woodland and seasonal habitat for migrating wildlife
4. Fish passage/stream improvement
5. Other decreasing habitats

7. Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program
• A voluntary program through NRCS for those
who want to improve wildlife habitat on
private lands
• Receive technical and financial assistance for
establishment of specific wildlife habitat
practices

8. Habitat practices
-Field Borders
-Cut Back Field Borders
-Conservation Cover
-NWSGs, Legumes, and Shrubs
-Hardwood Tree Establishment
-Shrub Establishment
-Hardwood Stand Improvement
-Disking
-Prescribed Burning
-Hedgerows
-Wetland Creation/Enhancement
-Pasture Conversion to NWSGs
-Herbicide Application

9. Pollinator Habitat
• Plant native wildflowers near crop borders to
improve habitat for native pollinators and to
improve crop yields
• Mix wildflowers with NWSG for quality early
successional habitat

10. Field Borders
• Reduced yields along edges
• Competition for light, nutrients
and water
• Might be better off as
conservation cover

11. Field Borders
• A great way to create wildlife habitat
- Native Warm Season Grasses + Forbs
- Plant or allow to grow back naturally
• Benefits quail, rabbits, songbirds, etc.

12. Cut-Back Field Borders
• Where: Crop fields bordered by non-desirable
trees and/or invasive species
-Tree-of-Heaven, sweet gum, maple
• Use a High-speed forestry mulcher, chainsaws
• Herbicide treatment is important!
• Benefit: More productive crops along field edge
plus improved wildlife habitat

13. FESCUE CONVERSION
• Fescue is not wildlife friendly
-Carpet/Sod Forming
-Barrier for quail
• NWSGs grow in clumps and provide
overhead cover and nesting structure
• NWSGs are drought tolerant
- 2010 was extremely dry
- Tough on pasture land
- Many switched to hay early
- Diversify pastures and have some
NWSGs
NWSGs
CSGs
Photo taken 7/13/2010

14. NWSGs – Root Systems

16. PINE MANAGEMENT
• Prescribed burns and firebreaks
• Expanded and seeded log decks and forestry
roads

17. HARDWOOD MANAGEMENT
• Forest Stand Improvement
– Herbicide treatment of low quality trees
(sweetgum, maple, etc)
– Mechanical thinning to open up the canopy
• Allow sunlight to reach forest floor
• 50% of the ground should receive sunlight at noon
– Prescribed burning to promote
herbaceous understory

18. HARDWOOD MANAGEMENT
• Hardwood tree planting
• Filter strips for riparian areas

19. Prescribed Burning
• Sets back succession
• Controls hardwood regeneration
• Removes pine “duff” that suppresses new plant
growth
• A Certified Burn Manager must oversee the burn

20. What does this do for me?
• Establish a legacy of natural resource
conservation for future generations
• Relaxation
• Entertainment
• Healthy, ecologically responsible food source
for your family

21. What about additional income?
• Hunting / Fishing / Trapping leases
• Horse trails
• Hiking / nature trails
• Bird-watching

22. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
• I am available to visit your property
– Look around
– Search for opportunities
– Prepare a habitat management plan
• Take advantage of this resource
• Contact me:
757-357-7004 ext. 126
tiffany.beachy@va.usda.gov

23. Questions??