Eastern Tall Grass Prairie Quail Habitat Restoration Emphasis Area

Program Information

Northern Bobwhites (quail) have declined throughout much of Oklahoma due to habitat loss and fragmentation at a landscape level. In an effort to slow and potentially reverse this decline we have designated watersheds in the Eastern Tall Grass Prairie Bird Conservation Region (BCR), that have the potential to show the best response to our management efforts. These decisions were developed with the aid of area resource professionals, local landowners providing input, and GIS habitat-modeling. Prescribed Burning (338) and Prescribed Grazing (528) will be the most used practices. These two practices will be used in combination to create a patch burn graze system to better meet quail habitat needs seasonally. In addition, Tree/Shrub Planting (612) will be used were necessary to enhance protective cover for quail.

The Eastern Tall Grass Prairie Quail Habitat Restoration Initiative (QHRI) emphasis area is located in two counties: Craig and Mayes. The 11-digit watershed in these counties is: Big Cabin Creek.

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Eastern Tall Grass Prairie QHRI Emphasis Area Project Description (PDF; 27 KB)

Eligibility and Application Process

To be eligible a landowner must have land located within the emphasis area. If a landowner has land that falls outside of the emphasis area and is contiguous with land under the same ownership within the emphasis area that land is still eligible. Conservation practices in pastures, hay land, and croplands can be applied when they provide a corridor to link (within ¼ mile) existing native plant communities in excess of 80 acres each.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis, but only those received by November 1, 2007, will be considered for this initial application ranking and selection period.  Funding selections will be made on or before December 11, 2007, exclusively from those applications received and ranked.

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General Map of Eastern Tall Grass Prairie QHRI Emphasis Area (PDF; 19 KB)

Detailed Map of Eastern Tall Grass Prairie QHRI Emphasis Area (PDF; 172 KB)

Since this project is a landscape level effort, emphasis will be given for project size, habitat diversity, proximity to protected habitat, and for certain practices.  Minimum criteria include following Brush Management (314) with Prescribed Grazing (528) and follow a grazing management plan.

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Eastern Tall Grass Prairie QHRI Emphasis Area Ranking Criteria (PDF; 7 KB)

Eligible Practices and Payment Rates

The list of eligible conservation practices and associated practice payment rates is shown below.

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Statewide EQIP Practice Payment Rates (PDF; 36 KB)

Contacts

For additional information and assistance, contact your local NRCS Field Service Center.

Last Reviewed/Modified: 10/28/2008

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