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  • Learn more about how the Nueces River Authority is using LIP funding to combat invasive arrundo donax on the Dry Frio, Nueces & Sabinal Rivers.
  • Check out a blog following one landowner's chronicling of her LIP project in Llano County.
  • Learn how Partners Help Landowner Restore Two Playas in Texas.
 

Landowner Incentive Program (LIP)


LIP Logo

The Texas Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) is a collaborative effort between TPWD Wildlife and Inland Fisheries Divisions to meet the needs of private, non-federal landowners wishing to enact good conservation practices on their lands for the benefit of healthy terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. LIP focuses on projects aimed at creating, restoring, protecting and enhancing habitat for migratory birds and species of greatest conservation need throughout the state. We seek projects that positively impact watersheds by reducing soil erosion, restoring and enhancing native vegetation, and restoring proper functioning of rivers, creeks and other riparian areas. LIP is funded through partnerships with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and other partners.

Landowner Incentive Program Information Card media download(PDF 780 KB)

Questions should be directed to Arlene Kalmbach (LIP Coordinator), your local TPWD wildlife biologist, and/or any of the additional contacts provided in the following funding series descriptions.

The Texas LIP currently offers the following funding options:

    Partners Logo

  1. Statewide LIP Funding Series

    • Pre-proposal submission deadline = January 15th 2013.
    • Exceptional projects will be funded on a rolling basis so don't wait for a submission deadline to submit.
    • TPWD biologists - Download the LIP Pre-proposal Template.

    2. The Statewide LIP Funding Series is designed to meet the needs of private, non-federal landowners wishing to enact good conservation practices on their lands in targeted ecoregions (2012/2013 LIP target areas). Use the map to the left to find your local TPWD biologist to assist you with applying for funding. This allocation of LIP funding is made possible through a cooperative agreement with the USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. All projects approved for funding are thereby subject to the terms and conditions that come with federal funding. This funding series is focused on projects aimed at creating, restoring, protecting and enhancing habitat for species of greatest conservation need throughout the state, as well as activities that positively impact our valuable riparian areas and watersheds. Contracts will require a minimum of 25% landowner contribution (in-kind labor, materials, monetary, etc.). Projects showing the greatest benefit to a species of concern and/or a targeted watershed receive priority, as do projects offering long-term protection, long-term monitoring and greater than the required minimum landowner contribution.

    National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Logo

  2. The Llano River Watershed LIP Funding Series

    The Llano River Watershed LIP Funding Series is dedicated to conservation actions that positively impact the Llano River Watershed. Property does not have to include a riparian area to be considered. Many forms of conservation land stewardship will qualify. The goal is to improve water quality, increase water quantity, restore riparian systems, remove non-native species, and reduce stream system fragmentation. The program encourages and supports a wide array of sustainable land-use activities that are compatible with aquatic resource conservation. While the ultimate goal of this funding is to improve habitat for the state fish, the Guadalupe Bass, this funding will be used to support projects implementing conservation actions on any landscape within the targeted watershed with the understanding that conservation based land stewardship will have a positive impact on the watershed.

    For the 2012/2013 fiscal year this funding is specifically available to landowners located within the North and South fork reaches of the Llano River watershed (property does not have to include a riparian area to be considered). This allocation of LIP funding is made possible through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Southeastern U.S. Native Black Bass Keystone Initiativemedia download(PDF 195.6 KB) as well as partnerships with Anheuser Busch, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service State Wildlife Grants, Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fish Passage Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sport Fish and Restoration Program, etc. All projects approved for funding are thereby subject to the terms and conditions of that grant. Priority will be given to applications with 50:50 cost share but all applications will be reviewed. Additional contact person for this funding series is Gary P. Garrett, Ph.D., Fisheries Biologist/Program Director - Watershed Policy & Management, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, 830-866-3356 (ext. 212) or Megan Bean, Watershed Ecologist, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, 830-866-3356 (ext. 216).

    3. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Logo

  3. James River Watershed Restoration - LIP Funding Series

    The James River Watershed funding series is dedicated to conservation actions that positively impact the James River Watershed. Property does not have to include a riparian area to be considered. Many forms of conservation land stewardship will qualify. The goal is to improve water quality, increase water quantity, restore riparian systems, remove non-native species, and reduce stream system fragmentation. The program encourages and supports a wide array of sustainable land-use activities that are compatible with aquatic resource conservation. Priority will be given to projects with 50:50 cost share but all proposals will be reviewed. Additional contact person for this funding series is Gary P. Garrett, Ph.D., Fisheries Biologist/Program Director - Watershed Policy & Management, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, 830-866-3356 (ext. 212) or Megan Bean, Watershed Ecologist, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, 830-866-3356 (ext. 216).

    4. Partners Logo

  4. The Texas Great Plains Landscape Conservation Cooperative (GPLCC) LIP Funding Series

    The Texas Great Plains Landscape Conservation Cooperative (GPLCC) LIP Funding Series is dedicated to on-the-ground conservation work on private lands in an effort to reduce the potential effects of climate change on terrestrial and migratory species in the Texas Panhandle portion of the GPLCC. This allocation of LIP funding is made possible through a cooperative agreement with the USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. All projects approved for funding are thereby subject to the terms and conditions of that Cooperative Agreement. Contracts will require a minimum of 25% landowner contribution (in-kind labor, materials, monetary, etc.).

How do I get involved with the Landowner Incentive Program?

LIP Logo

The first step is to contact your local TPWD office and establish a relationship with a staff biologist who will help you with an ecological assessment of your land, review your goals, and provide you with information regarding the various incentive and assistance programs available. If together you decide that the LIP program could help you meet your management and restoration goals, your TPWD biologist will assist you to prepare and submit a project proposal packet.

What are some criteria for applying?

How will proposals be selected?

The LIP is a competitive grant program. Project proposals are reviewed and ranked according to the ranking criteria specific to the funding series. Proposals are also reviewed by TPWD diversity biologists, fisheries staff and in some cases the LIP Advisory Committee. The committee consists of private landowners and representatives of natural resource agencies and conservation organizations. The primary selection criteria will be based on the extent to which the action achieves the goals of the targeted funding series balanced against the cost effectiveness of the proposed action. Applicants not selected will be eligible to reapply. Successful applicants will be notified and arrangements will be made to develop terms of the agreement. Because LIP utilizes federal funds, TPWD is required to provide assurances that the project will not negatively impact important cultural resources or federally-listed species, so reviews may be needed depending on the planned project activities.

What type of project is eligible for funding?

TPWD encourages effective and cost-efficient conservation projects. Funds can be used for projects that enhance and protect wildlife habitat. Common practices include native plant restoration, control of exotic vegetation, prescribed burning, selective brush management, wetland enhancement, riparian restoration and prescribed grazing. Other actions not listed here that will accomplish conservation goals at reasonable cost are encouraged and will be considered.

What are the funding limitations?

LIP is a cost share program. Depending on the funding series,TPWD will contribute between 50% and 75% of a total project cost, while the applicant is expected to contribute the balance (materials or in-kind services are acceptable match). LIP is a reimbursement program, so landowners receive payment upon completion of planned practices and submission of valid invoices (both for reimbursement and for match credit). Receipt of payment will be contingent on the landowner's fulfillment of the agreement and completion of the project. Landowners are expected to work with their TPWD biologist to document final results of the project. Requests for reimbursement must be submitted by the TPWD biologist working on the project.

Annual program funding varies according to availability of LIP funds.

Project proposals must be filled out by a TPWD biologist who will work on the project. Please contact your local TPWD wildlife biologist (LIP contact) for more information.