Wisconsin Monarch and 

Pollinator SAFE

State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE)

Overview

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service are partners in implementing a State 

Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) project to enroll 

agricultural land in central and southern Wisconsin. The 

purpose of the Wisconsin Monarch and Pollinator SAFE is 

to improve habitat for Monarchs and other pollinators in 

the southern two thirds of the state, within the agricultural 

zone of Wisconsin.

Background

SAFE is part of the USDA Conservation Reserve Program 

(CRP). CRP is a federally funded voluntary program that 

contracts with landowners and agricultural producers to 

establish and manage vegetative covers that control soil 

erosion, improve water quality, and provide wildlife habitat. 

SAFE is a unique type of CRP that offers organizations 

the opportunity to partner with the USDA to establish 

habitat for high-priority wildlife species on agricultural 

land. SAFE sponsors work with the USDA to identify the 

wildlife species, the vegetative cover that provides habitat 

for the target species, and the location in the state where 

the habitat is needed. A partnership is formed between the 

SAFE sponsor and the USDA, and federal funds are made 

available to allow for CRP enrollment on eligible land within 

the SAFE project location.

Target Wildlife Species

The goal of the Wisconsin Monarch and Pollinator SAFE 

project is to provide habitat for Monarch Butterflies, 

Federally Endangered Rusty Patched Bumble bee and other 

pollinators. Monarch Butterflies are important to Wisconsin 

because of their unique life history and their iconic 

symbolism of a North American butterfly. The Monarch 

population has seen a drastic decrease over the last decade 

on their wintering grounds.

AUGUST 2023 WISCONSIN

Habitat

Landowners and agricultural producers participating in 

Wisconsin Monarch and Pollinator SAFE are required to 

develop a conservation plan with assistance from the 

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or a 

technical service provider. The conservation plan will provide 

details on how to plant, establish, and manage habitat 

for Monarch Butterflies and other pollinators. The nectar 

rich habitat being established is a mix of forbs (including 

milkweed—Monarch’s host plant) with native or introduced 

grasses. After the habitat is established, it will need to be 

maintained and managed by prescribed burning, mowing, 

herbicide application, or inter-seeding. Proper habitat 

establishment, maintenance, and management will maximize 

benefits for Monarch Butterflies and pollinators in general.
STATE ACRES FOR WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT (SAFE) 2

Project Location

The Wisconsin Monarch and Pollinator SAFE project 

is located in Adams, Barron, Brown, Buffalo, Calumet, 

Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, 

Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, 

Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, 

La Crosse, Lafayette, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marquette, 

Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Outagamie, Ozaukee, 

Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, 

Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, 

Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, 

Winnebago, and Wood county.

Eligible CRP Practices

This SAFE project uses the following CRP practices:

 CP38B-9, SAFE Shallow Water Areas for Wildlife

 CP38B-23, SAFE Wetland Restoration

 CP38B-23A, SAFE Wetland Restoration, 

NonFloodplain

 CP38E-1, SAFE Establishment of Permanent 

 Introduced Grasses and Legumes

 CP38E-2, SAFE Establishment of Permanent Native 

Grass

 CP38E-25, SAFE Rare and Declining Habitat —Tallgrass 

Prairie

 CP38E-25, SAFE Rare and Declining Habitat — Oak 

Savana Prairie

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. fsa.usda.gov/wi

Haying and Grazing

Haying and Grazing activities are not allowed on Monarch 

and Pollinator SAFE practices.

Eligibility Requirements

Because SAFE is part of CRP, certain land and participant 

eligibility rules apply. To begin with, land must be in the 

project area and meet cropping history. CRP participant 

eligibility rules also apply to SAFE.

Payments and Incentives

In exchange for participation in CRP SAFE, the Farm 

Service Agency (FSA) provides participants with annual 

per acre rental payments, cost-share to assist with habitat 

establishment expenses, and in some cases additional 

monetary incentives.

For More Information

This fact sheet is provided for informational purposes only; 

other restrictions or requirements may apply. Consult your 

local FSA office for details. For more information, contact 

your local service center and USDA Farm Service Agency 

office: farmers.gov/service-locator.
STATE ACRES FOR WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT (SAFE)

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. fsa.usda.gov/wi

Wisconsin Monarch and Pollinator SAFE Project Map

AUGUST 2023