Virginia Longleaf Pine 

SAFE

State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE)

Overview

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

Department of Forestry are partners in implementing a State 

Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) project to enroll 

agricultural land in 25 counties in southeast Virginia. The 

purpose of the Virginia Longleaf Pine SAFE is to re-establish 

longleaf pine stands at densities that will provide critical 

habitat for wildlife species that have experienced sharp 

declines in population.

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 Virginia Longleaf Pine SAFE project 

is to provide habitat for Red-cockaded woodpeckers, 

Bachman’s sparrows, and Northern bobwhite quail. Redcockaded woodpeckers and Bachman’s sparrows are 

important for Virginia as the northernmost location of the 

declining species’ populations. The Northern bobwhite, 

once abundant across Virginia and still treasured by 

landowners, has vanished in many locations.

Habitat

Landowners and agricultural producers participating in 

the Virginia Longleaf Pine 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 Redcockaded woodpeckers, Bachman’s sparrows, and Northern 

Bobwhite quail. The habitat to be established consists of 

longleaf pine savannas characterized by large mature trees, 

open canopies, and abundant grass/forb ground covers. 

After the habitat is established, it will need to be maintained 

and managed by periodic prescribed burning. Proper habitat 

establishment, maintenance, and management will maximize 

benefits for the targeted avian species.

AUGUST 2023 VIRGINIA
STATE ACRES FOR WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT (SAFE) 2

Project Location

The Virginia Longleaf Pine SAFE project location includes 

the counties/cities of Accomack, Amelia, Charles City, 

Chesterfield, Dinwiddie/Petersburg City, Gloucester, 

Goochland, Hanover, Henrico/Richmond City, James 

City/Williamsburg City, King and Queen, King William, 

Lunenburg, Mathews, Mecklenburg, Middlesex, New Kent, 

Northampton, Nottoway, Powhatan, Prince George, Surry, 

Sussex, Virginia Beach and York/Poquoson City.

Note: The National CRP Longleaf Conservation Priority 

Area also includes the counties/cities of Brunswick, City of 

Chesapeake, Greensville, Isle of Wight, Southampton, and 

Suffolk which offers a comparable CP36 — Longleaf Pine 

Establishment practice.

Eligible CRP Practices

This SAFE project uses the following CRP practices:

 CP38D-36, SAFE Longleaf Pine — Establishment

Haying and Grazing

Emergency and non-emergency haying and grazing are not 

authorized.

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

Photo Virginia NRCS

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/va

Virginia Longleaf Pine SAFE Project Map

AUGUST 2023