Wisconsin Western Prairie 

Habitat Restoration SAFE

State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE)

Overview

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

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 

are partners in implementing a State Acres for Wildlife 

Enhancement (SAFE) project to enroll agricultural land in 

parts of Polk and St. Croix counties. The purpose of the 

Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Area is to restore 

20,000 acres to pre-settlement vegetation types that 

provide nesting, brood rearing, and foraging habitats for 

grassland 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 Western Prairie Habitat Restoration 

Area project is to provide habitat for Henslow’s and 

Grasshopper Sparrow, Loggerhead Shrike, Eastern and 

Western Meadowlark, Dickcissel, and Bobolink. These 

obligate grassland bird species are important to Wisconsin 

because they are Species of Greatest Conservation Need 

(SGCN) within the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan and they 

represent major management opportunities in this Ecological 

Landscape.

AUGUST 2023 WISCONSIN

Habitat

Landowners and agricultural producers participating in 

Western Prairie 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 

these SGCN grassland birds. The habitat being established 

is diverse, native prairie that will increase the availability of 

short and mid grass habitat structure. After the habitat is 

established, it will need to be maintained and managed by 

either prescribed burning, mowing, or herbicide application 

to minimize encroachment of trees or shrubs and unwanted 

invasive plant species. Proper habitat establishment, 

maintenance, and management will maximize benefits for 

the targeted grassland birds.
STATE ACRES FOR WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT (SAFE) 2

Project Location

The Wisconsin Western Prairie Habitat Restoration SAFE 

project is located within portions of of Polk and St. Croix 

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-25, SAFE Rare and Declining Habitat

Haying and Grazing

Haying and Grazing activities are not allowed on any 

Wisconsin Western Prairie Habitat Restoration SAFE 

practices.

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

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 Western Prairie Habitat Restoration SAFE 

Project Map

AUGUST 2023