Habitat Plot Program

The Department's Habitat Plot Program is a multi-year rental of private land providing nesting, wintering and other key wildlife habitat. The habitat can be newly established habitat, existing habitat or a combination of both.

General Program Guidelines

Tracts of newly established and/or existing habitat will be considered for enrollment.

Agreement length is up to 6 years, however, longer term agreements may be available.

Payment Rates

Existing Habitat:

• Areas for consideration include idled grasslands, wetlands, woodlands and riparian zones.

New Habitat Establishment:

• The Department will work with landowners to determine seed mix and provide cost-share.
• Annual rental payment based on County Average Non-Irrigated Cropland Cash Rents (compiled by ND Dept. of Trust Lands). Payment rates can be found at https://land.nd.gov/docs/surface/ctyrent17.pdf.
• Landowner will receive a $30/acre Habitat Incentive Payment (HIP) if land is enrolled for 10 or more years.

Landowner must agree to:

• Follow a management plan developed cooperatively with biologists.
• Allow the Department to sign and publicize the access acres as open to walk-in hunting.

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