Georgia Bobwhite Quail Initiative (BQI) Cost Share (BQI)

Pays Georgia landowners to create and manage bobwhite quail habitat on working farms and forests. Biologists write a custom conservation plan; approved practices (field borders, hedgerows, filter strips, fallow patches and pivot corners, native grass, forest openings, understory burning or herbicide, pollinator plantings) are reimbursed, with annual per-acre rental payments for cropland and pasture taken out of production. Contracts run up to 3 years and are capped at $20,000.

• Property of at least 50 contiguous acres

• Priority to Baker, Bleckley, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Calhoun, Decatur, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Emanuel, Grady, Jenkins, Laurens, Lee, Mitchell, Pulaski, Screven, Terrell, Thomas, and Worth counties; applications from other counties also considered

• Acres enrolled in other state, federal and non-profit cost-share programs for the same practices are not eligible

• Commercial shooting preserves are not eligible

• One contract per cooperator per term; landowners must be willing to participate in monitoring

Reimbursement after biologist approval of implemented practices; landowner pays up-front costs. Contracts up to 3 years; landowners can re-enroll once after the initial contract but then are not eligible for three years. Total incentives capped at $20,000 per contract.

Published amounts: Contracts are for 3 years with a maximum of $20,000 per property, cooperator and/or landowner. Rental payments: $100/acre/year for the establishment of dry land field borders, hedgerows/filter strips, fallow patches, and center pivot corners; $200/acre/year for irrigated field borders, hedgerows and filter strips; $50/acre/year for pastureland converted to native vegetation. Practice Incentive payments vary by practice.

To apply contact the Private Lands or Quail Forever biologist in your area. Find the biologist for your county on the Private Lands assistance map at https://georgiawildlife.com/privatelandsprogram or call 229-420-1183. Deadlines March 1 and August 1.

Deadline text on the page: Application Deadlines: March 1st and August 1st