1. Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentives Program (VPA-HIP)

2.  The 2014 Farm Bill re-authorized the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) to help state and tribal governments improve wildlife habitat and public access for recreational opportunities on privately owned and operated farm, ranch and forest lands.

3. Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentives Program (VPA-HIP)  The Farm Service Agency administered VPA-HIP after it was authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill. The program was funded only in fiscal years 2010 and 2011.  29.5 Million obligated by FSA in the 2 years program was operational

4. Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentives Program (VPA-HIP)  In fiscal year 2014, NRCS awarded $20 million to nine state agencies and one Indian tribe for the first year of funding under USDA-NRCS’s administration.  The 2014 Farm Bill re-authorized the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program ((VPA- HIP) with $40 million mandatory funding available for 2014-2018

5. 5 StateState AgencyFunding Amount Cumulative Totals MTMT Fish, Wildlife, and Parks$491,206 PA - GamePA Game Commission$6,000,000$6,491,206 TXTX Park and Wildlife Dept.$2,245,200$8,736,406 MIMI Dept. of Natural Resources$1,229,250$9,965,656 ILIL Dept. of Natural Resources$1,744,000$11,709,656 IAIA Dept. of Natural Resources$3,000,000$14,709,656 SDSD Dept. of Game, Fish, and Parks$1,505,500$16,215,156 AZAZ Game and Fish Department$2,194,400$18,409,556 GAGA Dept. of Natural Resources$993,664$19,403,220 Yakama Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation $374,584$19,777,804 Overall Totals$19,777,804 2014 VPA-HIP Awards

6. Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentives Program (VPA-HIP)  Only state and tribal governments can apply.  Proposed projects eligible for VPA-HIP funds can span up to three years.  Funding amounts can range from $75,000 to $1 million per year.  These are block grants.  No match requirement  Administered by National NRCS.  Proposal solicitation is open from February 23 through April 24, 2015. States and tribal governments must complete the application on www.grants.gov.

7. Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentives Program (VPA-HIP) Funding priority will be given to applications that meet the following criteria: 1.Increase private land acreage available for public use; 2. Offer a public access program that gains widespread acceptance among landowners; 3.Make special efforts to reach historically underserved or socially disadvantaged landowners; 4.Ensure appropriate wildlife habitat is located on enrolled lands; 5.Strengthen existing wildlife habitat improvement efforts; 6.Follow NRCS conservation practice standards for VPA-HIP habitat improvement activities; and; 7.Inform the public about the locations of existing and new lands where public access is available.

8. Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentives Program (VPA-HIP) For more information: Grants.Gov http://www.grants.gov/view opportunity.html?oppId=274734 http://www.grants.gov/view opportunity.html?oppId=274734 NRCS Home Page: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/nation al/programs/farmbill/?cid=stelprdb1242739 http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/nation al/programs/farmbill/?cid=stelprdb1242739 Doug Holy, National Program Manager NRCS-Ecological Science Division Doug.holy@wdc.usda.gov 202-253-2989 Deadline for Proposal is April 24, 2015 Selection announced May 31 st

9. Questions?