Wisconsin Karner Blue 

Butterfly SAFE

State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE)

Overview

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

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are partners 

in implementing a State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement 

(SAFE) project to enroll agricultural land in Eau Claire 

County and parts of Jackson County. The purpose of the 

Wisconsin Karner Blue Butterfly SAFE is to increase Karner 

Blue butterfly habitat by establishing new prairies with 

their sole food source, wild blue lupine.

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 Karner Blue Butterfly SAFE 

project is to provide habitat for the Karner Blue Butterfly 

and other pollinators. Karner Blue Butterflies are important 

to Wisconsin because they are listed as a federally 

endangered species and are a target species listed as 

a Species of Greatest Conservation Need within the 

Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan.

AUGUST 2023 WISCONSIN

Habitat

Landowners and agricultural producers participating in 

Wisconsin Karner Blue Butterfly 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 

Karner Blue Butterfly. The habitat being established is a 

diverse mix of native grasses and forbs. After the habitat is 

established, it will need to be maintained and managed by 

prescribed burning or mowing. Proper habitat establishment, 

maintenance, and management will maximize benefits for 

the Karner Blue Butterfly by ensuring the availability of wild 

blue lupine.
STATE ACRES FOR WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT (SAFE) 2

Project Location

The Wisconsin Karner Blue Butterfly SAFE project is located 

in all of Eau Claire and western Jackson county.

Eligible CRP Practices

This SAFE project uses the following CRP practices:

 CP38E-25, SAFE Rare and Declining Habitat — 

Tallgrass Prairie

Haying and Grazing

Haying and Grazing activities are not allowed on Karner Blue 

Butterfly SAFE 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.

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

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 Karner Blue Butterfly SAFE Project Map

AUGUST 2023