Oklahoma Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP) (WHIP)

ODWC shares the cost of long-term wildlife habitat work on private land in Oklahoma, reimbursing part of the cost after the project is done, up to $4,500 per landowner per year. Eligible work includes timber thinning and small openings, native grass, tree or shrub planting, cedar removal, firebreaks, habitat-protection fencing and small wetland creation; food plots and disking are not cost-shared. Any landowner (or a lessee with a qualifying lease) can apply, regardless of property size, and must maintain the work for 10 years.

• Statewide, private property; no minimum landholding or project acres

• Land lessees may apply on leased property with a copy of a lease showing management capability for the 10-year maintenance period

• Short-term practices (food plots, disking) are not cost-shared

Partial reimbursement after completion and inspection; max $4,500 per participant per year; 1-year contract (work done by June 30 of the following year) plus a 10-year maintenance agreement; payment generally within 45–90 days of inspection (bulletin: within 90 days of receipt of the reimbursement form).

Published amounts: $4,500.00 maximum reimbursement per landowner (project), per year

Apply Sept. 1–Dec. 31 (request an application or a biologist visit through the WHIP contact form on the program page). A Private Lands Biologist contacts the applicant, visits the property and builds a habitat improvement plan; a panel reviews plans in June and applicants are notified by or shortly after July 1. The signed contract and plan must be returned within 30 days of approval and before any reimbursable work.

Deadline text on the page: Landowners can apply annually between Sept 1 and Dec 31, pool of landowner applications are reviewed and approved once a year (June)