Montana Declining 

Grassland Birds SAFE

State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE)

Overview

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

Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, in addition to several 

other conservation organizations, are partners in 

implementing a State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement 

(SAFE) project to enroll agricultural land found in 19 

counties within the Northern Great Plains and Prairie 

Pothole regions of eastern Montana. The purpose of the 

Montana Declining Grassland Birds SAFE is to restore 

breeding and brood rearing habitat for several grassland 

dependent bird species that have suffered significant 

population declines.

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 Montana Declining Grassland Birds SAFE 

project is to provide habitat for the chestnut-collared 

longspur, Baird’s sparrow, Sprague’s pipit, and lark bunting. 

All four species breed in the northern plains and prairies 

of the US and Canada and winter in the southwestern 

US and Mexico. Chestnut-collared longspurs prefer 

shortgrass/mixed grass prairie and respond well to cover 

disturbance. Baird’s sparrow has a lower tolerance for 

cover disturbance and prefers taller mixed grass prairie. 

Sprague’s pipit is typically found in mixed grass prairie 

with light to moderate grazing. Lark buntings also occupy 

this type of habitat but can also be found in drier, less 

productive shrub-steppe areas. All four species have 

exhibited long-term population declines.

Habitat

Landowners and agricultural producers participating in 

the Montana Declining Grassland Birds 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 

chestnut-collared longspur, Baird’s sparrow, Sprague’s pipit, 

and lark bunting. Each species has slightly different habitat 

requirements, primarily related to cover structure and 

subsequent management once the cover is established. The 

cover being established is usually a diverse mixture of native 

grasses and forbs, and in some cases shrubs, providing 

essential habitat for the targeted species. After the habitat 

is established, it will need to be maintained and managed by 

grazing, preferably, or by prescribed burning. Proper habitat 

establishment, maintenance, and management will maximize 

benefits for chestnut-collared longspur, Baird’s sparrow, 

Sprague’s pipit, and lark bunting.

JUNE 2023 MONTANA

Photo by National Audubon Society
STATE ACRES FOR WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT (SAFE) 2

Project Location

The Montana Declining Grassland Birds SAFE project is 

located in portions of Big Horn, Blaine, Carbon, Daniels, 

Fergus, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, 

Petroleum, Phillips, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Stillwater, Sweet 

Grass, Treasure, Valley, Wheatland, and Yellowstone 

counties.

Eligible CRP Practices

This SAFE project uses the following CRP practices:

 CP38E-2 Permanent Native Grasses and Legumes, 

includes the establishment of at least 4 native grasses, 

with one being a native warm season grass, and 3 

forbs, one of which must be a native legume.

 CP38E-4D Permanent Wildlife Habitat, includes a 

minimum cover mix similar to the CP38E-2.

 CP38E-25 Rare and Declining Habitat, includes the 

establishment of at least 6 native grasses with one 

being a warm season grass, and 5 forbs, including one 

native legume, and 1 shrub species.

Haying and Grazing

Emergency and non-emergency grazing is allowed. New 

seedings are to be protected from grazing and left idle for 

the first 2–3 years. Grazing is the preferred management 

activity. As a management activity, grazing is required once 

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

every two to three years. In lieu of grazing, prescribed 

burning is also an authorized management activity, required 

at least once during the contract.

Emergency or non-emergency haying is not authorized. 

Haying or clipping as a management activity is prohibited.

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/mt

Montana Declining Grassland Birds SAFE Project Map

JUNE 2023