Montana
Cost Share Opportunities and Options
Audubon
Audubon Conservation Ranching
This certification-based program focuses on grassland management, monitoring, and marketing. Certified ranches become eligible for market-based conservation incentives. The program supports rotational grazing, woody encroachment management, and prescribed fire, with financial assistance primarily targeted to western South Dakota.
Payment Rate
Market-based incentives and targeted financial assistance. Funding varies by practice.
Contact Information
Thomas Schroeder
Phone: 504-453-4124
Website
Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited programs emphasize the restoration, enhancement, and retention of wetlands and grasslands. DU manages several grants for funding sources that emphasize conservation practices such as grassland/wetland restoration, livestock grazing systems on grasslands and croplands, and soil health practices. Reach out to your local biologist or agronomist on the website to request a consultation or more information.
Website
https://ag.ducks.org/programshttps://www.ducks.org/conservation/du-conservation-initiatives
Farm Service Agency
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
CRP is a voluntary USDA program that removes environmentally sensitive agricultural land from production and establishes long-term conservation cover. It improves soil erosion control, water quality, and wildlife habitat. Enrollment options include General CRP, Grassland CRP, Continuous CRP, SAFE, CLEAR30, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), and Farmable Wetlands. Contracts are administered by FSA, with technical support from NRCS, state agencies, conservation districts, and approved partners.
Payment Rates
Annual rental payments.
Cost share assistance for establishment.
Contract lengths are typically 10 to 15 years.
Contact Information
Contact your local Farm Service Agency office for more details.
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices
Website
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs?assistance_type%5B0%5D=12
Habitat One
Free Food Plot Seed
To help ensure wildlife have access to adequate nutrition during these challenging conditions, Habitat One has established a Free Food Plot See Program. This program is designed to assist landowners in providing reliable winter food and cover for wildlife through the establishment of dedicated food plots.
Contact Information
Brooke Fricke
Operations and Administration Manager
Phone: 308-362-7061
Email: brooke@habitat-one.org
Mule Deer Foundation
Private Lands Program
The Private Lands Program supports grazing infrastructure and management improvements, including virtual fencing and alternative grazing strategies. The program also funds replacement of degraded or obsolete fencing with wildlife-friendly fencing, as well as grazing management planning, regenerative grazing practices, wildlife habitat and ecosystem restoration, riparian restoration and protection, strategic wildlife crossings, and invasive species control. Wildlife-focused water developments in arid or seasonal habitats are also supported.
Payment Rates
No funding cap. Funding is pooled from multiple organizations.
Contact Information
Rusty Wandler
Email: rwandler@muledeer.org
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
The Conservation Stewardship Program rewards producers who maintain existing conservation practices and implement additional enhancements on working lands. The program encourages long-term stewardship and continual improvement.
Payment Rates
Annual stewardship payments are provided.
Contracts last five years with minimum annual payment thresholds.
Contact Information
Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office for more details.
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/montana
Website
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers for addressing natural resource concerns such as soil, water, air quality, and wildlife habitat. The program is designed to support a wide range of conservation practices.
Payment Rates
Typically, EQIP offers a 50 to 60 percent cost share.
Rates depend on the conservation practices implemented.
Contact Information
Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office for more details.
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/montana
Website
The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund
Seed a Legacy
Transform 2+ acres of land into thriving, high-quality habitat with long-term ecological impact. Must be a new project.
Payment Rates
2-25 acres receive seed at no cost, 25+ receive seed at a reduced cost.
Contact Information
701-658-2967
World Wildlife Fund
Ranch Systems and Viability Planning (RSVP)
RSVP supports ranch planning and on-the-ground improvements to enhance long-term ranch viability. Eligible activities include water developments, fencing, beaver dam analogs, grazing plans, and related infrastructure.
Payment Rates
Up to 50 percent of total project costs not covered by the rancher or partners.
Maximum funding is $60,000 per ranch.
Contact Information
Alexis Bonogofsky
Email: alexis.bonogofsky@wwfus.org