Landowner Habitat Enhancement Program

Any private landowner is eligible to participate in the private lands program. Please contact the Fish and Game Habitat Biologist in one of our regions for more information.

There are several programs available in Idaho that provide financial and technical assistance to landowners to maintain, develop, or improve fish and wildlife habitat on their lands. State programs include the Habitat Improvement Program (HIP) and Access Yes!. Federal and nongovernmental programs and grants are also available.

Types of projects that could be considered and accomplished:

•    Wetland/stream restorations
•    Planting of upland bird nesting cover
•    Fence modification for easier big game/wildlife passage
•    Juniper removal and shrub steppe habitat restoration

Idaho Fish and Game habitat biologists can provide guidance to landowners about the benefits and types of improvements that can be done on their property. Benefits range from improved hunting opportunities for your family to increased land value. 

Habitat biologists provide technical assistance at no cost to the landowner. Technical assistance includes:

•    Informing landowners of the types of assistance programs available:
•    Help determine which program or combination of programs will best fit the landowner's needs.
•    Help landowners with application procedures, including enrolling in federal Farm Bill programs.
•    Working with landowners to develop a management plan or project design to benefit fish and wildlife habitat on their lands.
•    Determine what species, including at-risk species, are on their land and which would benefit from habitat improvements or protection.