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WILDLIFE HABITAT PRACTICES FOR YOUR
FARMPresented by: Tiffany Beachy
Private Lands Wildlife BiologistSmithfield, VA
Picture your farm…
Who else lives there?
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!
What can I do??
Priority Habitats
• Emphasis on habitats of national, regional, or state significance
• 5 priority habitat types in Virginia:1. Upland grassland habitat2. Riparian corridor habitat3. Woodland and seasonal habitat for migrating wildlife4. Fish passage/stream improvement5. Other decreasing habitats
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
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
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
Field Borders
• Reduced yields along edges
• Competition for light, nutrients and water
• Might be better off as conservation cover
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.
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
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
NWSGs – Root Systems
PINE MANAGEMENT• Prescribed burns and firebreaks
• Expanded and seeded log decks and forestry roads
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
HARDWOOD MANAGEMENT
• Hardwood tree planting• Filter strips for riparian areas
Prescribed Burning• Sets back succession• Controls hardwood regeneration• Removes pine “duff” that suppresses new plant
growth• A Certified Burn Manager must oversee the burn
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
What about additional income?• Hunting / Fishing / Trapping leases• Horse trails• Hiking / nature trails• Bird-watching
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. [email protected]
Questions??