Abstract
Numerous studies document environmental and social
benefits of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). This
report offers a synopsis of findings regarding effects of
establishing CRP conservation practices on the quality and
distribution of wildlife habitat in agricultural landscapes. On
individual farms, year-round provision of wildlife habitat
by the CRP may appear relatively insignificant. However,
considered from multi-farm to National scales, such improvements
in habitat and wildlife response have proven to be
extensive and profound.
Because CRP acres historically have been dominated by
plantings of introduced and native grasses, this report focuses
on issues pertaining to wildlife response to grass-dominated
conservation practices. While the majority of CRP acres
have been concentrated largely in the Great Plains and Corn
Belt regions, 47 states (and Puerto Rico) have participated,
resulting in measurable environmental benefits throughout
the United States. Numerous investigations of habitat use by
a wide range of wildlife species reveal that periodic management
of CRP lands can enhance benefits through and beyond a
typical 10 year general CRP contract.
Over its 28-year existence, the CRP has evolved into an
effective integration of conservation and agricultural policies
targeting fragile and environmentally-valuable lands.
Landowners with fields enrolled in the CRP often are the first
to observe improvement in the landscape, greater numbers
and kinds of wildlife, cleaner water and air, less erosion, and
they have the satisfaction of seeing fragile lands serve better purposes. There is persistent concern that improvement seen
in wildlife habitat and other environmental profits delivered
by the CRP are ephemeral and last only as long as funding
supports the existence of the program and its vegetative cover
is properly managed.
An involved American population will continue to expect
governmental policies to enhance long-term protection of natural
resources and public health. Recent investigations furnish evidence that the collective economic value of environmental
benefits delivered by the CRP likely exceed program costs. The
mounting significance placed on environmentally-responsible
land management is based in part on public recognition that
social, aesthetic, and recreational values enhance the traditional
uses of agricultural land.
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First posted June 22, 2015
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