Ohio grant funding available for grassland habitat

Columbus — The Ohio DNR (ODNR) Division of Wildlife has $9 million of funding available to landowners who want to create grassland habitat that can support native wildlife, like northern bobwhite quail and other grassland-nesting birds.

Several types of grant awards are available for interested landowners. Eligible lands include cropland and non-cropland, and grants will be awarded on a per-acre basis or based on number of projects.

Contract agreements can range from one to four years. The Division of Wildlife and National Bobwhite and Grasslands Initiative Foundation are working with interested landowners to provide hands-on technical assistance at no cost.

Interested landowners should contact a Wildlife Management Consultant to begin planning conservation efforts with experts who can design practical, wildlife-friendly land management strategies.

“This grassland habitat program is a win-win for land owners and wildlife,” said John Kaiser, private lands program manager for the ODNR Division of Wildlife. “Healthy native grasslands support pollinators, improve soil health, and create vital cover for birds and other wildlife. With the right guidance and support, landowners can make a big difference.”

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The program will also evaluate long-term impacts to habitat improvements and bird populations as well as broader social and economic benefits.

Grassland birds, including bobwhites, have experienced population declines in Ohio and across the nation because of habitat loss. Much of the state’s potential grassland habitat is on private land, so projects such as this greatly benefit priority species. The new program provides customized solutions that align a landowner’s goals, such as improving soil health, increasing recreation value, supporting livestock, or enriching wildlife diversity, with proven conservation practices.

“This partnership is more than just funding; it’s about bringing together people who care about working lands, biodiversity, and long-term stewardship,” said Matt Gardner, state regional conservation partnership program coordinator for the National Bobwhite and Grasslands Initiative Foundation.

The National Bobwhite and Grassland Initiative Foundation and Ohio were awarded the funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program as part of a multi-state initiative to fuel native grassland habitat restoration.

Visit nbgif.org to learn more.