Landowner Incentive Program (LIP)

Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) is sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. LIP is a collaborative effort to meet the needs of private, non-federal landowners wishing to enact good conservation practices on their lands for the benefit of healthy terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

TPWD Landowner Incentive Program Landowner Incentive Program Landowner Incentive Program The Texas Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) is a collaborative effort between TPWD Wildlife and Inland Fisheries Divisions to meet the needs of private, non-federal landowners wishing to enact good conservation practices on their lands for the benefit of healthy terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

LIP is funded through partnerships with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program , National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and other partners. NOTE: TPWD LIP cannot assist in costs for pond or tank development without a direct tie to federally listed species. Current TPWD employees or acting TPWD Commissioners are not eligible for grants through the LIP program.

Prospective LIP Landowners LIP Pre-proposal Template LIP Pre-proposal Template Request for Technical Guidance Form How do I get involved with the Landowner Incentive Program? How do I get involved with the Landowner Incentive Program?

The first step is to contact your local TPWD office and establish a relationship with a staff biologist who will help you with an ecological assessment of your land, review your goals, and provide you with information regarding the various incentive and assistance programs available.

If together you decide that the LIP program could help you meet your management and restoration goals, your TPWD biologist will assist you to prepare and submit a project proposal packet. What are some criteria for applying? What are some criteria for applying?

Meet the specific requirements of your targeted LIP funding series. The results of the proposed action(s) must be measurable. Therefore, the landowner must agree to allow biologists onto their property for a pre-agreement survey and periodic progress checks to assess the success of the project objectives.

Priority is also given to those projects where long term species monitoring is implemented. The landowner must be willing to sign a project agreement. Each agreement will be designed to meet the landowner's individual conservation and land use needs and objectives.

Inability to complete LIP project due to weather or other conditions beyond the landowner's control will be considered individually and rescheduled. How will proposals be selected? How will proposals be selected?

The LIP is a competitive grant program. Project proposals are reviewed and ranked according to the ranking criteria specific to the funding series. Depending on the funding series, proposals are also reviewed by USFWS biologists, TPWD diversity biologists and/or fisheries staff.

The primary selection criteria will be based on the extent to which the action achieves the goals of the targeted funding series balanced against the cost effectiveness of the proposed action. Applicants not selected will be eligible to reapply. Successful applicants will be notified and arrangements will be made to develop terms of the agreement.

Because LIP utilizes federal funds, TPWD is required to provide assurances that the project will not negatively impact important cultural resources or federally-listed species, so reviews may be needed depending on the planned project activities. What type of project is eligible for funding? What type of project is eligible for funding?

TPWD encourages effective and cost-efficient conservation projects. Funds can be used for projects that enhance and protect wildlife habitat and/or enhance target watersheds. Common practices include native plant restoration, control of exotic vegetation, prescribed burning, selective brush management, wetland enhancement, riparian restoration, and forest stand improvement.

Other actions not listed here that will accomplish conservation goals at reasonable cost are encouraged and will be considered. What are the funding limitations? What are the funding limitations?

LIP is a cost-share reimbursement program. Depending on the funding series, TPWD will contribute between 50% and 75% of a total project cost, while the applicant is expected to contribute the balance (materials or in-kind services are acceptable match). LIP is a reimbursement program, so landowners receive payment upon completion of planned practices and submission of valid invoices.

Receipt of payment will be contingent on the landowner's fulfillment of the agreement and completion of the project. Landowners are expected to work with their TPWD biologist to document final results of the project. Requests for reimbursement must be submitted by the TPWD or USFWS biologist working on the project.

Annual program funding varies according to availability of LIP funds. Project proposals must be filled out by a TPWD biologist who will work on the project. Please contact your local TPWD Wildlife biologist for more information.

The Texas LIP currently offers the following funding options LIP Partners Watershed Funding Series The LIP Partners Watershed Funding Series is designed to meet the needs of private, non-federal landowners wishing to enact good conservation practices on their lands. This allocation of LIP funding is made possible through a cooperative agreement with the USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.

All projects approved for funding are thereby subject to the terms and conditions of that Program Exceptional projects will be funded on a rolling basis so don't wait for a submission deadline to submit. What's Going On With LIP?

Prospective LIP Landowners LIP Pre-proposal Template LIP Pre-proposal Template Request for Technical Guidance Form LIP in Action: Llano River Watershed, Mason County This spring was fenced out from continuous cattle grazing to encourage the growth of riparian vegetation. Native riparian vegetation provides a buffer from nutrients flowing into the system, habitat for wildlife, and benefits the spring and aquatic fauna.

Combating Invasive Species Learn more about how the Nueces River Authority is using LIP funding to combat invasive arundo donax on the Dry Frio, Nueces & Sabinal Rivers. Check out one landowner's blog chronicling her LIP project in Llano County. Learn how partners helped a landowner restore two playas in Texas.

Texas LIP currently offers the following funding options The LIP Partners Watershed Funding Series 2026 - no request for proposals. Selected pre-proposals will then be required to submit a full proposal (template will be provided). After ranking and careful review by committee projects selected for funding can anticipate having a contract in place by October 2020, so plan work timeline accordingly.

View and Find Texas Watersheds TPWD Biologists — Download the LIP Pre-proposal Template The LIP Partners Watershed Funding Series is designed to meet the needs of private, non-federal landowners wishing to enact good conservation practices on their lands. This allocation of LIP funding is made possible through a grant from the USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.

All projects approved for funding are thereby subject to the terms and conditions of that Program. Projects supported by this funding series are managed jointly by TPWD and USFWS biologists. The goal of this funding series is to establish, restore, and/or enhance habitat for state and federal trust fish, wildlife and plant species on privately owned lands (non-state and non-federal).

Project proposals will be prioritized based on the following criteria: Highest priority: projects within identified priority areas that are expected to directly benefit Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed species and their habitats High priority: projects that are expected to directly benefit ESA-listed species and their habitats, but not located in a priority area Other priority: projects that are expected to benefit other state or federal trust species and their habitats.

Regardless of location, good projects are encouraged to apply and will be reviewed and receive funding if available. Special emphasis will be placed on projects that also show benefit to Freshwater mussel species of conservation concern (ESA Candidates or petitioned) View the map to see if your property is in a LIP priority area.

Additional selection prioritization factors include: Efficiency and sustainability of the proposed restoration action Matching contributions volunteered by private landowners to implement the proposed restoration action Proximity of the proposed action to USFWS, TPWD, or other privately protected areas, Relevance to emerging fish, wildlife, plant and habitat conservation issue.

Contact your local TPWD Wildlife biologist and/or any of the additional contacts provided in the funding series descriptions listed above. Landowner Incentive Program Coordinator Private Lands Program Leader Inland Fisheries Division