The wildlife habitat federation (WHF) proposes a targeted conservation initiative to advance the recovery of imperiled species, including the attwater s prairie chicken, northern aplomado falcon,…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Region 2, through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program (CFDA 15.631), awarded Wildlife Habitat Federation (WHF) a $125,000 cooperative agreement effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030. WHF will implement a targeted conservation initiative within the Texas Mid-Coast region designed to advance the recovery of imperiled species including the Attwater's Prairie Chicken, Northern Aplomado Falcon, and Whooping Crane. The organization will deliver science-based habitat management actions—specifically brush management, prescribed grazing, and prescribed burning—to restore and maintain coastal prairie grasslands across the existing agreement area, Powderhorn Wildlife Management Area, Goliad Prairie, and other subsequent locations.

The conservation initiative will generate quantifiable ecosystem benefits by improving habitat quality for target species, increasing populations of game and nongame species such as Northern Bobwhite Quail, Loggerhead Shrike, LeConte's Sparrow, and Mottled Duck, and enhancing ecosystem services for pollinators including Monarch Butterflies. By integrating ecological restoration with sustainable land use practices that support local cattle grazing operations, WHF will strengthen ecosystem resilience while advancing USFWS priorities for species recovery. WHF will collaborate with local partners throughout the five-year performance period to ensure effective implementation, monitoring, and long-term sustainability of these habitat conservation efforts.

The wildlife habitat federation (WHF) proposes a targeted conservation initiative to advance the recovery of imperiled species, including the attwater s prairie chicken, northern aplomado falcon, and whooping crane, while enhancing habitats for associated species such as northern bobwhite quail, loggerhead shrike, leconte s sparrow, mottled duck, and pollinators like the monarch butterfly. This initiative will implement science-based management actionsbrush management, prescribed grazing, and prescribed burningwithin the texas mid-coast in the existing agreement area (see project narrative exhibit a). Building on prior conservation efforts, the initiative will expand habitat restoration and management practices in the texas mid-coast and complement ongoing work at the powderhorn wildlife management area (WMA), goliad prairie, and other subsequent areas. These actions will restore and maintain coastal prairie grasslands, benefiting grassland-dependent wildlife, resident and wintering waterfowl, and local cattle grazing operations. By integrating ecological restoration with sustainable land use, the project supports biodiversity, strengthens ecosystem resilience, and aligns with USFWS priorities for species recovery and habitat conservation. Expected outcomes include improved habitat quality for target species, increased populations of game and nongame species, and enhanced ecosystem services for pollinators and agricultural stakeholders. WHF will collaborate with local partners to ensure effective implementation, monitoring, and long-term sustainability of these conservation efforts.