$49 million awarded to support voluntary public access

USDA is awarding almost $49 million to help state and tribal governments encourage private landowners to allow public access to their land for hunting, fishing and other wildlife-dependent recreation. This year, 27 recipients in 27 states will receive awards through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP).

“Not only does this program enhance and protect wildlife habitat, but it also provides new opportunities for the public to enjoy the outdoors and potentially generates new revenue streams for private landowners,” said NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr.

VPA-HIP is open to state and tribal governments to establish or expand public access programs. Projects last up to three years, and the maximum amount for a single award is $3 million.

A majority of the funded projects expand public access programs, increasing the number of private land acres available to the public for recreation. Awardees may use up to 25% of their award funding to create, restore or enhance wildlife habitat on private lands opened for public access.

Recipients include:

1. Arizona Department of Game and Fish
2. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
3. Colorado Department of Natural Resources
4. Georgia Department of Natural Resources
5. Idaho Department of Fish and Game
6. Illinois Department of Natural Resources
7. Indiana Department of Natural Resources
8. Iowa Department of Natural Resources
9. Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism
10. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
11. Michigan Department of Natural Resources
12. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
13. Missouri Department of Conservation
14. Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks
15. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
16. Ohio Department of Natural Resources
17. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
18. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
19. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
20. Pueblo of Santa Clara
21. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
22. South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks
23. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
24. Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
25. Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife
26. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
27. Wyoming Game and Fish Commission