Sangamon Sun

Champaign, IL  May 13, 2021--The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced a new conservation effort to help agricultural producers in Illinois to provide food and habitat for two wildlife species, the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus). This targeted effort in Illinois by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will combat the decline of these species. According to Ivan Dozier, Illinois NRCS State Conservationist, “Both these species hold a special place in Illinois’ history and Illinois’ future. With the help of our farmers and landowners, we can turn things around and truly make a difference.”

NRCS has established the application deadline for this effort on June 18, 2021. Producers are encouraged to submit an application by the application deadline if they are interested in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts (CIC) projects for the monarch butterfly and bobwhite quail. A signed application (NRCS-CPA-1200 form) can be submitted to the local NRCS field office or through the Farmers.gov website using an account. A blank NRCS-CPA-1200 application form may be obtained from the local office or on the Illinois NRCS website. Producers wishing to use Farmers.gov, can sign in or create an account by clicking on “Sign up” in the upper right of the website.

The Monarch Butterfly EQIP-CIC project is available in all Illinois counties. Monarch populations have decreased significantly over the past few decades, in part because of the decrease in native plants like milkweed, which is the sole food source for monarch caterpillars. This EQIP-CIC project will focus on establishing new habitat or enhancing existing cover with milkweed species.

The Bobwhite Quail EQIP-CIC project is available in 70 Illinois counties that make up the south and west portions of Illinois (see attached map). The bobwhite quail is often referred to as an “edge” species, seeking habitat where crop fields intersect with woodlands, pastures, and old fields. Historically, land use favored bobwhite, but changes in land use and how lands are managed have caused the bird’s numbers to drop drastically over the last half century. This EQIP-CIC project will focus on areas most suitable for bobwhite habitat restoration and enhancement.

EQIP is a voluntary conservation program available for agricultural producers and forestry producers. Through EQIP, NRCS will provide financial and technical assistance to install conservation practices. For information on EQIP, contact the local NRCS field office or visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/il/programs/financial/eqip/