THIS PROJECT AIMS TO RESTORE 350-1,000 ACRES OF DEGRADED GRASSLAND HABITAT IN THE CHIHUAHUAN DESERT OF WESTERN TEXAS BY REDUCING BRUSH ENCROACHMENT. OVER 50% OF THESE GRASSLANDS HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY INVASIVE SPECIES LIKE CREOSOTE AND MESQUITE, THREATENING CRUCIAL PRONGHORN AND GRASSLAND BIRD HABITATS. THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE FUNDING TO PRIVATE LANDOWNERS TO IMPLEMENT BRUSH MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, PRIMARILY THROUGH CHEMICAL TREATMENT, FOLLOWING NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) STANDARDS. PROJECT PROPOSALS WILL BE EVALUATED BASED ON THEIR POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO WILDLIFE, COST-EFFECTIVENESS, AND PROXIMITY TO PROTECTED AREAS. FUNDING WILL COVER 1-3 PROJECTS, WITH LANDOWNERS REIMBURSED AT NRCS ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVE PROGRAM (EQIP) RATES. ALL PROJECTS MUST BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 30, 2027. THIS RESTORATION EFFORT WILL IMPROVE ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONS, ENHANCE HABITAT CONNECTIVITY, AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE LONG-TERM HEALTH OF THE CHIHUAHUAN DESERT.