New Mexico Lesser PrairieChicken Habitat SAFE

State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE)

Overview

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

Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) are 

partners in implementing a State Acres for Wildlife 

Enhancement (SAFE) project to enroll agricultural land in 

two counties, Lea and Roosevelt Counties, Southeast New 

Mexico. The purpose of the New Mexico Lesser PrairieChicken Habitat SAFE is to restore habitat for the Lesser 

Prairie-Chicken 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 New Mexico Lesser Prairie-Chicken 

Habitat SAFE project is to provide habitat for Lesser 

Prairie-Chicken. The Lesser Prairie-Chicken in New 

Mexico is vulnerable because of its limited range and 

small population size and listed as endangered under the 

Endangered Species Act. 

Habitat

HabitatLandowners and agricultural producers participating 

in New Mexico Lesser Prairie-Chicken Habitat SAFE are 

required to develop a conservation plan with assistance from 

the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) 

or a technical service provider (TSP). The conservation plan 

will provide details on how to restore and sustain sand 

sagebrush and shinnery oak grasslands providing breeding 

and brood rearing habitat for Lesser Prairie-Chickens. After 

the habitat is established, it will need to be maintained 

and managed by conducting two management activities 

during the contract period. For a 10-year contract, activities 

would take place between years 4–7. To meet the two 

management activity requirements, participants can do 

the same management practice twice or they could do one 

management practice during the beginning of the contract 

and a different management practice during the middle of 

the contract. Management activities will be determined by 

the producer, NRCS or NMDGF wildlife biologist and will 

be applied according to a conservation plan. Management 

activities include inter-seeding, prescribed burning, 

mowing, disking, and prescribed grazing. Proper habitat 

establishment, maintenance, and management will maximize 

benefits for Lesser Prairie-Chickens.

JULY 2023 NEW MEXICO

Photo by Grant Beauprez, New Mexico Dept. of Game and Fish
STATE ACRES FOR WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT (SAFE) 2

Project Location

The New Mexico Lesser Prairie-Chicken Habitat SAFE 

project location is Lea and Roosevelt Counties.

Eligible CRP Practices

This SAFE project uses the following CRP practices:

 CP38E-1, Introduced Grasses and Legumes

 CP38E-2, Native Grasses and Legumes

 CP38E-4D, Permanent Wildlife Habitat

 CP38E-25, Rare and Declining Habitat (primarily 

grasses)

Haying and Grazing

Grazing may be permitted on no more than 75 percent 

of the acreage or at a 75 percent stocking rate on the 

total acreage for not more than 90 days. Stocking rate 

and grazing duration may be further restricted by the 

approved conservation plan to maintain acceptable cover as 

determined by NRCS or TSP.

Non-emergency and emergency haying is not authorized. 

Non-emergency and emergency grazing may be permitted 

according to an approved conservation plan developed by 

NRCS or TSP. Grazing during the Primary Nesting Season 

(PNS) is not authorized.

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

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/nm

New Mexico Lesser Prairie-Chicken Habitat SAFE Project Map

JULY 2023