Rice Levee, Road Edge, and Ag Corridor Program

California Waterfowl administers this initiative under the Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program (NBHIP), run by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The effort aims to enhance breeding conditions for waterfowl, pheasants, and upland nesting birds by compensating landowners who maintain undisturbed vegetation on rice levees and road edges during spring and summer.

Participating landowners must leave rice levees or roads undisturbed from the previous growing season, with road corridors requiring a minimum 5-foot width. Rice fields with enrolled levees must be planted in the growing season. Reconstructed levees after the previous season disqualify applications.

The program provides $0.80 per linear foot of levee or road enrolled, with $100,000 budgeted for the 2025 nesting season. California Waterfowl and U.S. Geological Survey staff monitor enrolled fields for nesting activity from April 1st to July 15th, with weekly checks on active nests. Payments arrive shortly after July 15th upon meeting all requirements.

Applications for the 2026 season closed on November 30th, 2025. Contact Jason Coslovich at (408) 644-3525 or jcoslovich@calwaterfowl.org.