| Program
Overview |
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The Arizona Game and Fish
Department's Landowner Relations Program
is responsible for coordinating habitat improvement
projects on private lands within Arizona.
The program has
two primary objectives:
| 1 |
To assist private
landowners and land management agencies
with projects that enhance wildlife populations
and habitats. |
| 2 |
To protect or
acquire access to public and state trust
lands ensuring continued recreational opportunities
for the citizens of Arizona. |
Assistance can
include:
| - |
Cost-share funds
for materials and labor for wildlife projects. |
| - |
Technical assistance to
design and implement projects. |
| - |
Public information signs
and access materials such as gates and
cattle guards. |
| - |
Working with private landowners
to establish long-term wildlife management
objectives. |
| - |
Working with
private landowners and public land management
agencies to provide access to federal and
state trust lands. For example, establishing
perpetual easements into public or state
trust lands in return for mutually beneficial
projects like those described above. |
A variety of project funding sources are available through the program. The Landowner
Relations Program can recommend which would be most appropriate for
a landowner's specific situation. In many cases funding can be matched by federal
dollars, or a project can be accomplished using volunteer labor. Most projects
on private lands require multiple funding sources to establish the greatest improvements. |
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| Habitat Development
for "at-risk" Species
- More |
Several funding sources
are available for developing or enhancing
habitat
for at-risk species. Some funds can be used
on state trust or federal lands, but most
of them target projects on private property.
Which species are eligible? Any species that is considered
at risk because of current and historical population trends is eligible. The
department has developed
an extensive list of at-risk species. It includes nongame, game, furbearers,
and threatened and endangered species.
What types of improvements are eligible? Generally,
a landowner works with a representative of the Arizona Game and Fish Department
to develop a long-term
wildlife habitat improvement project. Some examples include wetland and riparian
area restoration, vegetative manipulations, and conservation easements. |
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| Public Access
- More |
The purpose of this
fund is to ensure recreational access routes
to public land. The funding helps landowners
with wildlife habitat and ranch improvements
in return for a perpetual or short-term easement
to allow public access to federal or state
trust lands.
What land is eligible? Improvement projects can be
placed on either private or public land. An access easement can be granted only
on deeded private property.
What types of improvements are eligible? Most types
of mutually beneficial wildlife/livestock improvements are eligible. Examples
include installing water catchments and pipelines,
improving range, fencing riparian areas, and removing pinyon and juniper. |
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| Big Game Habitat Development
- More |
These monies are derived
from hunter donations and the sale of special
tags. The funding is targeted toward improving
habitat or populations of deer, antelope,
bighorn sheep, javelina, turkey and elk.
What land is eligible? These projects are accomplished
on federal, State Trust, and deeded property throughout the state. Due to the
nature of this funding source,
public access to these project sites is a requirement.
What types of improvements are eligible? The funding
must be used to improve
or create habitat for Arizona's big game species. Examples include establishing
forage and browse plants, creating elk
crossings, and removing pinyon and juniper.
Any proposal must show a positive cost/benefit analysis to the people of Arizona.
Benefits usually are demonstrated by increased hunter recreation or increased
wildlife production or viewing opportunities. |
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| Cost-Share Opportunities
- More |
| In many instances landowners
and the Arizona Game and Fish Department
may be able to combine efforts and funds
with other department programs and with cost-share
and grant opportunities offered by other
agencies, such as the USDA Natural Resource
Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, and private nonprofit conservation
groups. |
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| Partnership Opportunities
|
The Landowner Relations
Program has established two partnership opportunities
to enhance relationships between landowners
and outdoor recreationists and alleviate
problems associated with public access on
private lands.
Landowner/Sportsman
Respect -
More
Also known as the "Respect Program," this
voluntary arrangement is designed to help
improve sportsman ethics. Department personnel
will work with any landowner who is experiencing
public use problems to install sign-in/sign-out
stations and informational and regulatory
signs.
Adopt-A-Ranch
- More
Conservation organizations, scout troops,
4-wheel clubs, and other groups can volunteer
to "adopt" a ranch and work directly with
landowners to perform regular ranch maintenance
activities. Their contributions help to mitigate
problems associated with public access for
recreation purposes. If your organization
would like to volunteer, please contact the
Landowner Relations Program. |
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| How to Get Involved
|
If you are a landowner
and would like more information on the Landowner
Relations Program and how you can be involved,
please contact the Arizona Game and Fish
Department.
Arizona Game and Fish Department
Landowner Relations Program
5000 W. Carefree Highway
Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000
Program Manager, Al Eiden
(623) 236-7624
aeiden@azgfd.gov |
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| Related
AZGFD Info |
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