Wisconsin Glacial Habitat 

Restoration Area SAFE

State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE)

Overview

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

Forever are partners in implementing a State Acres for 

Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) project to enroll agricultural 

land in parts of Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Dodge, and 

Columbia counties. The purpose of the Wisconsin Glacial 

Habitat Restoration Area is to establish a mosaic of 

grasslands and wetlands in a predominately agricultural 

landscape, resulting in more favorable habitat conditions 

for self-sustaining populations of grassland songbirds, 

wetland wildlife and waterfowl, as well as pheasants.

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 Glacial Habitat Restoration Area 

project is to provide habitat for grassland songbirds such as 

Dickcissel, Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolink, and Grasshopper 

Sparrow. Grassland birds are important to Wisconsin 

because all target species listed are documented as Species 

of Greatest Conservation Need within the Wisconsin 

Wildlife Action Plan and their habitat needs address other 

important wildlife species such as Ring-necked Pheasant, 

White-tailed Deer, and Wild Turkey.

AUGUST 2023 WISCONSIN

Habitat

Landowners and agricultural producers participating in 

Wisconsin Glacial Habitat Restoration Area 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 grassland songbirds. The habitat being 

established will be a diverse mix of native grasses and 

wildflowers or surrogate introduced grasses and flowers. 

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

and managed by prescribed burning, mowing, herbicide, or 

interseeding. Proper habitat establishment, maintenance, 

and management will maximize benefits for grassland 

songbirds and associated wildlife species.
STATE ACRES FOR WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT (SAFE) 2

Project Location

The Wisconsin Glacial Habitat Restoration Area project is 

located within portions of Columbia, Dodge, Fond du Lac, 

and Winnebago counties.

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 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 Wisconsin 

Glacial Habitat Restoration Area 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 Glacial Habitat Restoration Area SAFE Project Map

AUGUST 2023