USDA NRCS South Carolina: Bobwhite Quail Conservation Technical Assistance Grant

NRCS, an agency under the USDA, in the South Carolina State Office, is seeking proposals from partners to provide “Boots on the Ground” conservation planning and technical assistance with the Bobwhite Quail Working Lands for Wildlife 2.0 Initiative under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). This assistance includes conservation planning for new program applications, administrative management of active contracts (completion of contract status reviews, assembling customer folders, assisting with customer questions and assisting with contract progress), assistance with conservation practice implementation (design, layout and practice certification) and updating conservation plans and maps. In addition, the awardee will be expected to attend workshops and outreach meetings to provide information to landowners on services provided by NRCS and EQIP program opportunities available for those interested in conservation programs focusing on wildlife habitat. 

This technical assistance would be statewide but focused in the four South Carolina Bobwhite Quail Focal Areas: Webb, Palachuccola, and Hamilton Ridge Area (Hampton, Allendale) or Sandhills Area (Lee, Chesterfield, Darlington) or Oak Lea Area (Clarendon, Orangeburg or Calhoun) with a focus on reaching historically underserved landowners.

NRCS has $450,000 available for a 3-year agreement with an eligible entity who has wildlife biology expertise and experience with NRCS programs and business tools, such as but not limited to, ProTracts, Conservation Desktop (CD), and Conservation Assessment and Ranking Tool (CART).

Proposals are requested from tribal governments and organization, State and local units of government, and institutions of higher learning for competitive consideration of a cooperative agreement for a project 3 years in duration.