The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently conducted another general sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Producers applied to enroll 1.9 million acres into the program with 1.7 million of those acres being accepted, according to the Wildlife Management Institute. USDA also announced that so far they have received applications for enrollment of over 370,000 acres in Continuous CRP, which targets priority areas to conserve wetland and grassland habitats.

Interest and enrollment in CRP has declined in recent years due to high commodity prices. With this most recent enrollment, participation in the Program stands at 26.9 million acres. This is a 26-year low for the program and far below the 32 million acres authorized by Congress for CRP.

"These recent CRP losses combined with an agricultural climate rampant with conversion of native prairies and wetlands, bulldozing and burning of shelterbelts, woodlots, and dry wetlands - is having a catastrophic impact on our landscape," said Dave Nomsen, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever vice-president of governmental affairs. "In the aftermath of this announcement, the American people need to recognize what is taking place on their countryside, especially across much of the northern Great Plains. This is not for just the health of pheasant, quail and other wildlife. At stake is a high quality of life in rural areas, loss of America's hunting tradition, and environmental benefits important to a sustainable agriculture system."

CRP is a voluntary program that has been especially effective at providing wildlife habitat, reducing soil erosion and improving water quality. These declines in CRP participation coupled with the high rates of conversion of native prairie lands, drainage of wetlands, and destruction of shelterbelts and woodlots to create more cropland is bound to have a significant and adverse impact on our nation's wildlife. (pmr)