Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR)

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

General office

Private Lands Program / BQI biologists

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

A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

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.

After making a qualifying donation, submit the GCTCP Application Form to DNR for certification with a $5,000 nonrefundable fee (Landowner's Guide); an appraisal review by the State Properties Commission is also required. A pre-certification option exists (no fee) per the GCTCP Procedures.

Deadline text on the page: The GA Conservation Tax Credit Program has been renewed, effective June 1, 2022. ... The tax credit expires December 31, 2026.

Georgia Conservation Tax Credit Program

A Georgia state income tax credit for landowners, including farmers and ranchers, who donate land or a permanent conservation easement to a government entity or an accredited land trust. The credit is 25% of the donation's fair market value, capped at $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for corporations and partnerships, and unused credit carries forward 10 years. DNR certifies the donation for conservation purposes. The program currently expires December 31, 2026.



- Landowners who donate fee-title lands or permanent conservation easements to a government entity, state agency, or a Land Trust Alliance-accredited land trust
- Bargain sales below fair market value also qualify (Landowner's Guide)
- Land must be certified for conservation purposes as defined by Georgia DNR

A reduction or waiving of fees for meeting a certain criteria.

Discount

25% of FMV; $250,000 individual / $500,000 corporate-partnership cap; 10-year carryforward; $4 million statewide annual cap; credits transferable to other Georgia taxpayers (Landowner's Guide). Expires December 31, 2026.

Published amounts: Approved donors may earn tax credits equal to 25 percent of the fair market value of their donations, up to $250,000 for individual donors and $500,000 for corporate and partnership donors. ... Any unused portion of the credit may be carried forward for 10 succeeding years. The aggregate amount of tax credits that can be awarded per calendar year is $4 million.

Complete the 'Connect to the OHI' survey on the page; NBGIF or regional GADNR biologists will reach out. Rolling admissions.

Deadline text on the page: Applications are rolling admissions to the program.

Brian Romm

Regional biologist (Bainbridge)

Buck Marchinton

Regional biologist (Clarkesville)

Triston Hansford

Regional biologist (Douglas)

Matthew Cooper

Regional biologist (Perry)

Jennifer Whittington

Regional biologist (Quitman)

Dan Watson

Regional biologist (Statesboro)

Jesse Kamps

Regional biologist (Waynesboro)

An NRCS RCPP project that reimburses Georgia landowners and tenants up to 95% of the practice rate for opening up and improving grassland and savanna wildlife habitat. Eligible practices include brush management, prescribed burning, conservation cover, cover crops, pasture and hay planting, early successional habitat, firebreaks, forest stand improvement and hedgerows. GADNR and NBGIF biologists draft the plan; NBGIF administers 1-3 year contracts.



- Applicants must be eligible to participate in USDA farm programs and have legal rights or permissions to the land (landowners, tenants, property managers, etc.)
- Parcels must have current farm records and a valid FSA farm number
- Applicants do not have to live in Georgia, but parcels must be located within the state

Contract terms 1-3 years, signed digitally and administered by NBGIF. Reimbursement up to 95% of the practice rate, paid after certification of all contracted practices.

Published amounts: Reimbursements cover up to 95% of the practice rate and are paid after certification of all contracted practices.

Complete the Landowner Interest Form and return it to Matthew Goode by email (matthew.goode@dnr.ga.gov) or mail to GA DNR Wildlife Resources, 2065 U.S. Hwy 278, SE, Social Circle, GA 30025.

Deadline text on the page: No deadline published; 'Interested? Complete the Landowner Interest Form today!'

Matthew Goode

Wildlife Resources Division

Georgia WRD pays private landowners lease payments in exchange for opening their land to public hunting, fishing or wildlife viewing, funded by USDA's VPA-HIP grant. Farms of any size (10 to 5,000 acres) can enroll in single or multi-year contracts and get free habitat technical assistance and state liability protection. WRD reports 35 contracts over the last five years, mostly dove fields, waterfowl, deer, small game and turkey.



- Eligible land owners include personal citizen-owned properties, agricultural producers, timber companies and timber investment management organizations
- Any size: 'Whether you own 10 acres or 5,000 acres'

Payment per unit of land to do or avoid certain practices related to land management.

Easement

Single or multi-year contracts; landowner sets access dates and types of use; landowner liability protection under Georgia law (OCGA 51-3-20 to 51-3-26).

Published amounts: Substantial financial incentives based on acres, recreation types, and habitats available. No rate published.

List of Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR) Funding Opportunities