649-1

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE

CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD

STRUCTURES FOR WILDLIFE

(No.)

CODE 649

DEFINITION

A structure installed to replace or modify a 

missing or deficient wildlife habitat component.

PURPOSE

To provide structures, in proper amounts, 

locations and seasons to:

• Enhance or sustain non-domesticated 

wildlife; or

• Modify existing structures that pose a 

hazard to wildlife.

CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES

This practice applies to all lands where 

planting or managing vegetation fails to meet 

the short-term needs of the species or guild 

under consideration. And in addition, where a 

State-approved wildlife habitat assessment

identifies the need to:

• Provide loafing, escape, nesting, rearing, 

roosting, perching and/or basking habitat, 

Examples are nesting islands, nesting 

boxes, roosting boxes, rock piles, perching 

structures and brush piles.

• Modify existing structures to minimize the 

risks of injury or mortality to wildlife. 

Examples are the need to:

i. Retrofit an existing fence with fence 

markers, 

ii. Modify an existing fence by removing 

wire or adding wildlife-friendly wire at 

appropriate spacing, or 

iii. Modify an existing watering facility by 

installing escape ramps or removing 

obstacles that impede safe access to 

water.

Do not use this practice to:

• Install new structures or modify existing 

structures for the control of nuisance 

animal species.

• Install new structures or modify existing 

structures for the benefit of captive, feral, 

or domesticated animals.

CRITERIA

General Criteria Applicable to all Purposes

Construct and install wildlife structures when 

the State-approved habitat appraisal method 

identifies limiting habitat component(s) that 

cannot be provided within the desired time 

period with implementation of a vegetation

management strategy.

Use the following criteria to design, install or 

modify structures for wildlife.

• Select the location of structures to meet 

the needs of the targeted species and not 

subject individuals to increased risks of 

injury or mortality.

• Select materials that are durable and safe 

for wildlife. Avoid caustic, dangerous, 

debilitating, and/or irritating materials. If 

the structure is exposed to sunlight, utilize 

ultraviolet resistant materials and/or 

coatings made with non-toxic substances 

for additional protection from deterioration 

due to sunlight exposure.

• Construct habitat structures to withstand

normal environmental conditions and meet 

NRCS, NHCP

September 2014 Conservation practice standards are reviewed periodically and updated if needed. To obtain 

the current version of this standard, contact your Natural Resources Conservation Service 

State Office or visit the Field Office Technical Guide.
649-2

the needs of the targeted wildlife for the 

target period of time.

• If identified as a wildlife structure requiring 

monitoring and management, the structure 

will be constructed to allow the capability 

for access. 

• Locate structures with access capability if 

monitoring or management of the structure 

is needed.

CONSIDERATIONS

Consider the following, prior to implementation 

of this standard and implement mitigation 

measures as appropriate.

• Potential negative impacts to target 

species and non-target species through an 

increase in predation, disease 

transmission, nest parasitism or other 

means. 

• Modification of existing onsite and offsite,

barriers, or other conservation structures

that may inhibit safe daily and seasonal 

movement of wildlife.

• The establishment of native vegetation

species, age, density and structure to 

supplement and/or eventually replace 

installed habitat structures. 

• Risks associated with the use of structures

by non-target or nuisance species.

• Safe passage strategies for non-target 

species including elk jumps, and road 

crossings.

• Modifications to structures to inhibit access 

to the structure by predators.

• Select appropriate color, orientation and 

exposure to support thermal regulation.

PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS

Develop plans and specifications for wildlife

structures within the criteria of this standard. 

Within the plan, describe the biological and 

physical requirements for applying the 

practice.

Specify the number, location, spacing, grade, 

quantities, dimensions, materials and timing of 

installation of new or modification of existing 

structures.

Develop specifications for construction and 

installation of habitat structures by following 

State technical notes or cited literature. An 

example of technical literature is the Wildlife 

Habitat Management Leaflet Number 20 

entitled Artificial Nesting Structures (USDA 

2008).

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

Provide an operation and maintenance plan 

that is customary and reasonable for the 

wildlife structures being installed or modified. 

Provided the timing, scope and intensity of 

operation and maintenance, with consideration 

of the needs of the target and associated 

species. As a minimum, the O&M will include 

a schedule (timing, frequency, duration) to:

• Monitor condition and/or usage of 

structures.

• Implement adaptive management by 

relocating, modifying or repairing 

structures as needed during the season 

with the least disturbance to target 

species.

• Conduct needed maintenance of 

structures such as removal of old nesting 

materials, nests of non-target species, 

undesirable debris, or abandoned 

structures.

• Install, modify and/or monitor during the 

season of year or time of day to minimize 

disturbance to wildlife.

• Remove all structures if they are 

determined (i.e. upon abandonment) as 

being potentially detrimental to the target 

species.

•

REFERENCES

USDA, Natural Resources Conservation 

Service and Wildlife Habitat Council. 2008. 

Artificial Nesting Structures. Fish and Wildlife 

Habitat Management Leaflet No 20 (revised) 

Washington, D.C. 

NRCS, NHCP

September 2014