USDA Signs MOU With Pheasants Forever To Enhance Conservation Efforts

DES MOINES, Iowa, Feb. 27, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) have entered into an agreement with Pheasants Forever to identify and create more opportunities to conserve plant and animal species and their habitats. Vilsack made the announcement in keynote remarks at the National Pheasant Fest 2010. "USDA is excited to expand its partnership with Pheasants Forever to establish conservation measures that will benefit our wildlife habitat, our environment, and our communities," said Vilsack. "Partnerships like these are critical to conserving America's private working lands, enhancing our water resources, and improving economies and quality of life across Rural America." The memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishes a framework of cooperation among NRCS, FSA and Pheasants Forever to maintain and enhance the productivity of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife habitats on private and public lands. These activities include, but are not limited to, pheasant, quail and other upland bird habitat conservation projects, habitat restoration, technical assistance, delivery of information and educational materials, collaboration on habitat and wildlife research, and development of habitat restoration and enhancement techniques. The agreement will be in effect for five years. Among other deliverables agreed to in the MOU: --Increase assistance and training of USDA and Pheasants Forever personnel regarding pheasant, quail and associated wildlife conservation, management and habitat restoration; --Enhance public information efforts about pheasants, quail and associated wildlife habitat conservation practices and programs including when appropriate, distribution of technical and financial assistance information; --Increase coordination implementing USDA Farm Bill programs, collaborative conservation programs; --Cooperatively share information on conservation programs and technical guidance regarding the improvement of conservation techniques and practices; and --Enable more strategically focused and effective conservation efforts for wildlife habitat and species especially pheasant and quail. To learn more about conservation measures to preserve wildlife habitat, visit the USDA and agency Web sites, including http://www.usda.gov/ http://www.fsa.usda.gov/, and http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/.