Illinois Quail

Initiative SAFE

State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE)

Overview

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

Department of Natural Resources are partners in 

implementing a State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement 

(SAFE) project to enroll agricultural land in 56 counties in 

south, west and northwestern Illinois. The purpose of the 

Illinois Quail Initiative SAFE is to restore grassland habitat 

for Quail and other grassland dependent species.

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 Illinois Quail Initiative SAFE project is to 

provide habitat for Northern Bobwhite Quail. Grasslands 

established through the Illinois Quail SAFE initiative 

will secure critical habitat for many of Illinois’ species in 

greatest need of conservation, including bobwhite quail.

Habitat

Landowners and agricultural producers participating in 

the Illinois Quail Initiative 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 Northern Bobwhite Quail. The habitat being 

established is grassland habitats consisting primarily 

of native short grasses and forbs. After the habitat is 

established, it will need to be maintained and managed by 

completing activities designed to enhance the cover such 

as prescribed burning, disking, strip herbicide application 

or interseeding. At least one management activity is 

required to be completed 1 time every four years. Proper 

habitat establishment, maintenance, and management will 

maximize benefits for the Northern Bobwhite Quail.

MAY 2023 ILLINOIS

Photo by Chris Young
STATE ACRES FOR WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT (SAFE) 2

Project Location

The Illinois Quail Initiative SAFE project location includes 

the following 56 counties: Rock Island, Mercer, Henderson, 

Warren, Hancock, McDonough, Fulton, Adams, Schuyler, 

Brown, Cass, Mason, Pike, Scott, Morgan, Calhoun, 

Greene, Macoupin, Montgomery, Jersey, Madison, Bond, 

Fayette, Effingham, Cumberland, Clark, Madison, Clinton, 

Marion, Clay, Jasper, Crawford, Richland, Lawrence, 

Wabash, Edwards, Wayne, Jefferson, Washington, Saint 

Clair, Monroe, Randolph, Perry, Franklin, Hamilton, White, 

Jackson, Williamson, Saline, Gallatin, Union, Johnson, Pope, 

Hardin, Alexander, Pulaski, and Massac. Participants in these 

counties are required to enroll a minimum of 10-acres per 

contract. Multiple touching fields may be enrolled to meet 

the 10-acre minimum.

Eligible CRP Practices

This SAFE project uses the following CRP practices:

 CP38B-23A, SAFE Wetland Restoration, NonFloodplain

 CP38E-2, SAFE Permanent Native Grasses and 

Legumes

 CP38E-4D, SAFE Permanent Wildlife Habitat, Noneasement

 CP38E-25, SAFE Rare and Declining Habitat

 CP38E-33, Habitat Buffer for Upland Birds

 CP38E-43, Prairie Strips

 CP38E-12, Wildlife Food Plot

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

Photo by Bonnie Arends

Haying and Grazing

Non-emergency haying and grazing and emergency haying 

and grazing are not authorized in the Illinois Pheasant 

Initiative SAFE project area.

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/il

Illinois Quail Initiative SAFE Project Map

MAY 2023