Idaho Upland Game 

Bird SAFE

State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE)

Overview

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

Department of Fish and Game are partners in implementing 

a State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) project to 

enroll agricultural land in 11 counties in North and Western 

Idaho. The purpose of the Idaho Upland Game Bird SAFE is 

to increase quality grassland, shrub steppe, mountain brush, 

and riparian habitat for upland game birds.

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 Idaho Upland Game Bird SAFE project 

is to provide habitat for California Quail, Ring-necked 

Pheasant, Hungarian Partridge, native Sage Grouse, and 

native Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse. These target wildlife 

species are important to Idaho because they are species 

of significant social and economic value to the community 

as well as the grouse species are species of greatest 

conservation need according to Idaho’s State Wildlife 

Action Plan.

Habitat

Landowners and agricultural producers participating in 

Idaho Upland Game Bird 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 California 

Quail, Ring-necked Pheasant, Hungarian Partridge, native 

Sage Grouse, and native Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse. 

The habitat being established is a mixture of predominantly 

bunch grasses (native and /or introduced) with interspersed 

forbs, best suited for wildlife, as well as the opportunity 

to include shrubs. The required seeding mixes will provide 

quality nesting, brood rearing, and wintering habitat for the 

target species. After the habitat is established, it will need 

to be maintained and managed by conducting approved 

management activities such as grazing, mechanical and 

chemical disturbance and seeding to increase diversity of 

the stand. Proper habitat establishment, maintenance, and 

management will maximize benefits for California Quail, 

Ring-necked Pheasant, Hungarian Partridge, native Sage 

Grouse, and native Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse.

MAY 2023 IDAHO

Photo by Kourtney Stonehouse with Idaho Fish and Game
STATE ACRES FOR WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT (SAFE) 2

Project Location

The Idaho Upland Game Bird SAFE project location is in two 

distinct units separated by mountainous areas unsuitable for 

upland game bird habitat work on private lands. The north 

unit will be comprised of counties that support pheasant, 

Gray Partridge, and California Quail in Benewah, Clearwater, 

Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, and Nez Perce counties. The 

south unit will lie in Adams, Gem, Payette, and Washington 

counties that support upland game birds with an emphasis 

on native Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse and Sage-Grouse.

Eligible CRP Practices

This SAFE project uses the following CRP practices:

 CP38E-2, SAFE Native Grasses

 CP38E-4D, SAFE Permanent Wildlife Habitat

 CP38E-25, SAFE Rare and Declining Habitat

 CP38E-42, SAFE Pollinator Habitat 

Haying and Grazing

 Grazing is allowed under all non-emergency provisions 

of CRP policy.

 Grazing is prohibited under emergency provisions 

according to CRP policy.

 Grazing as a gleaning activity may be conducted once 

in the fall of the first contract year before the cover is 

established.

 Haying of SAFE acres is not allowed.

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

Photo by Idaho Fish and Game

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/id

Idaho Upland Game Bird SAFE Project Map

MAY 2023