2nd National Extension Nat Res Conference-Abstract 52

Kristi L. Sullivan, Cornell University, 110 Fernow Hall, Ithaca, NY 14850; 607.255.5508; kls20@cornell.edu

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recently signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculure to initiate a Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). CREP is a state/federal conservation partnership program under the 1996 Farm Bill aimed at addressing state and nationally significant water quality, soil erosion, and wildlife habitat issues related to agricultural use. Through the program, farmers receive financial incentives to voluntarily remove highly erodible cropland from production. CREP is a community-based conservation program that provides a flexible design of conservation practices, including streambank fencing, wetland restoration, riparian buffers, and warm-season grass plantings. Pennsylvania's proposal is a $218 million effort to engage farmers in a successful, voluntary effort to improve water quality and wildlife habitat in a 20-county area within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, a national priority area for restoration.

Implementing CREP in Pennsylvania will require coordination and cooperation of a core of 2 federal agencies, 3 state agencies, and 2 non-profit agencies, each with their own specific agendas and ideals. Seeing the need for a unifying force, the Pennsylvania Chapter of The Wildlife Society (PA-TWS) applied for and received, a Wildlife Information Network (WIN) grant from The Wildlife Society. One of the goals of the WIN program is to promote wildlife conservation by establishing partnerships and ongoing dialogue among state, regional, and national organizations; professionals; landowners; business interests; and agencies involved in the management of wildlife resources.

PA-TWS will use the WIN grant to fund a 2-day workshop prior to enrolling landowners in the program. At the workshop we will provide key agency and extension personnel with information about the technical aspects of establishing CREP practices and how those practices can benefit fish and wildlife. Participants will be grouped by county into teams of 6-8 people, providing the opportunity to form friendly working relationships with their counterparts from other agencies, some of whom will be newly hired to work specifically with CREP, others whom have been working in the counties for a significant time period. Each team will be assigned the task of developing a Conservation Plan for a specific property based on an assigned goal and will present their recommendations to the other teams.

We hope to reduce conflict by building an atmosphere of teamwork and enabling participants to understand each other?s goals and values before the actual program enrollment begins. Establishing open dialogue among key players will result in a greater net gain to wildlife resources and the environment as a whole.