Wildlife Planting Program

The Wildlife Planting Program provides technical and financial assistance to participants for planting trees and/or shrubs. The Program incentivizes producers to plant trees and shrubs in marginal agricultural areas or where resource concerns exist. When these practices are applied on cropland edges and odd-shaped field corners, they can provide environmental benefits like increased carbon sequestration and reduced soil erosion. Producers may optionally plant prairie or food plot establishment with the trees and shrubs to increase habitat benefits. Pheasants Forever will give producers technical assistance every step of the way and provide a $7500/Acre one-time incentive payment for participation.

• Hedgerows: Woody vegetation planted along fence rows or between fields that provides refuge, travel corridors and escape routes for birds and mammals.
• Screening: Using trees and shrubs to create visual barriers. Especially useful in food plots adjacent to open areas, screening can create a sense of safety for wildlife while allowing hunter access.
• Edge-Feathering: Creating more diverse and desired habitat by gradually transitioning from one habitat type to the next (i.e. from a mature forest to an open field)
• Other Wildlife Planting Options Include: Forest Creation, Habitat Connection and Transition, Wildlife Cover and Forage, Riparian Stabilization, and More!

Ready to start farming Climate Smart? To begin enrollment, review the Wildlife Planting program requirements. When you are ready to enroll, complete and submit the required application documents. Simply download, fill out, and scan and email or mail to Fox-Wolf. Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance will respond within 2 weeks upon receipt of application. Timeline is dependent upon verifying eligibility through USDA-FSA.

Step 1: Review Practice Requirements and Eligibility

Before filling out the required enrollment paperwork, please review the Wildlife Planting Program requirements and eligibility to determine if you qualify.

Program requirements and eligibility can be found in the Requirements and Eligibility document. If you have questions regarding eligibility, contact the Pheasants Forever Climate Smart staff.

Step 2: Download and Fill Out Documents

To begin enrollment, download and fill out the Application packet. To download, click the image and follow the download instructions prompted by your browser.

All documents may be filled out online or by hand. Either way you decide to complete the application, the documents must be signed and dated by hand or as an encrypted digital signature.

Planting Requirements

• Trees and/or shrubs must be planted at a minimum of 302 plants per acre, but additional trees & shrubs may be required to be planted depending on the situation.
• A minimum of 1/4 acre is required for enrollment.
• A maximum of 10 acres per producer is allowed for enrollment.
• Land must be existing cropland or directly adjacent to existing cropland.
• Species must be chosen from the pre-approved stocking list.
• Participants must purchase trees and/or shrubs from approved nursery vendors, including but not limited to WDNR and Wisconsin County tree programs.
  • Producers are responsible for the purchase and installation of plants and seeds.
• Participants are required to plant trees and shrub species, but native prairie and food plot seeds are optional.

Planning & General Requirements

• Landowners must agree and sign a 15-year practice lifespan commitment for tree and shrub plantings.
• Participants must be willing to participate in meetings with Pheasants Forever Specialists.
• Enrollment may occur at any point in the calendar year.
• Additional requirements may apply depending on the specific planting practice that is installed. Contact Pheasants Forever for additional information.

Contact Information

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

Project Management

Katie Woodrow
(920) 915-5767
┃katie@fwwa.org

Tim Burns
(920) 841-0104
┃tim@fwwa.org

Wisconsin Farmers Union

Underserved & Small Producer Project Outreach

Erin Lenninger
(715) 382-0341
┃elenninger@wisconsinfarmersunion

Pheasants Forever

Precision Ag Analysis & Wildlife Plantings

Johnny Behrendt
(331) 201-1496
┃jbehrendt@pheasantsforever.org