CANTON – Several wildlife organizations are offering an opportunity for forest owners and operators in St. Lawrence County to apply for financial assistance to address insufficient young forest habitat for targeted wildlife species.

The Wildlife Management Institute, in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Audubon New York, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Quality Deer Management Association, and the Ruffed Grouse Society are helping because in recent years, New York State has experienced a decline in the populations of the New England cottontail, golden-winged warbler, American woodcock and other species of native wildlife. The reductions in population are associated with a decline of young forest, a crucial habitat type. The term “young forest” is used to describe ecosystems densely occupied with seedlings, saplings, shrubs, and other early-successional plants.

Through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), funding is available to for forest stewardship planning and for implementing practices that restore young forest habitat. Local partners and NRCS offices will work together to provide assistance to producers in planning and implementing conservation practices.

The application cutoff date for the next round of funding is July 21, 2017. All applications are competitive and are ranked based on locally identified resource priorities and the overall benefit to the environment. Interested landowners in St. Lawrence County should contact the Canton NRCS office at 315-386-2401 for additional information and to obtain an application.

As part of application process, all landowners will need to complete USDA eligibility requirements. To find information on EQIP Eligibility visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ny/programs/financial/eq... .

More info: at:http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ny/programs/?cid=nrcs144... .