Monarch Conservation Toolbox

Best Management Practices

CP42: Pollinator Habitat

Unites States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Country
United States

Region
Multiple

Land Use / Land Cover
Agriculture générale

Agency Type
Federal

Target or Affiliated Species or Habitat
Pollinisateurs

Publication Type
Assessment Tool, Website/web hub

Original Language
English

A practice funded under the US Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency’s (USDA FSA) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), CP-42-Pollinator Habitat Initiative has a specific funding incentive, including a signing incentive payment (SIP) up to US$150 per 0.4 hectares (1 acre), an annual rental payment based on the soil rental rate, and a possible Performance Incentive Payment (PIP) of up to 40% of installation costs. The recommended practices include planting wildflowers and forage legumes already used in CRP plant mixes (including CP-2 and CP-4, which may also provide habitat on land adjacent to land enrolled in CP-42). A special emphasis is placed on native forbs and a diversity of species providing flowers throughout the growing season to provide food resources.

Blocks of habitat totaling at least 0.2 hectares (0.5 acres), are recommended over strips of equal size. State-specific best practices are available via NRCS’s technical assistance resources (FSA 2016). For example, Minnesota’s CP-42 Job Sheet provides recommendations that can be implemented to promote pollinator and specifically monarch habitat, including plant species lists. BMPs may include topics such as planting or seeding; prescribed burning; grazing; mowing or haying; and invasive/pest species management (NRCSMn 2015). Recommendations specific to a state or region of interest, if different, should be consulted for this Practice.

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