The Borderlands Research Institute at Sul Ross State University and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are partnering to provide technical and financial assistance to landowners interested in restoring and enhancing wildlife habitat on their land.

The Partners for Habitat Program will provide $150,000 of financial assistance directly to private landowners across the West Texas counties of Brewster, Terrell, Pecos, Reeves, Culberson, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, and Presidio.

“This new Partners for Habitat Program will provide some additional resources that West Texas landowners need to implement positive conservation practices on their properties,” said Billy Tarrant, Associate Director of Stewardship Services for the Institute. “We’ll be accepting applications this fall, and will be providing more information about how to apply for this costshare program by early August. We’re very proud to be partnering with the USFWS to provide this opportunity for West Texas landowners.”

The program is funded through the USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. By partnering with the Institute, USFWS is leveraging its relationship with landowners across the Trans-Pecos.

“The Borderlands Research Institute has an established track record of effectively working with landowners across the region,” said Brendan Witt, a private lands biologist with the USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. “More than 95% of land in Texas is privately owned, and providing these funds for habitat conservation on private lands will make a difference in terms of healthy terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.”

Landowners can apply for funding online from Sept. 1–Oct. 15. Selected recipients will be notified by the end of the year.

To learn more or to apply, visit fws.gov/southwest/es/austintexas/Partners.