ALEXANDRIA – The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers in portions of 22 parishes to develop and enhance habitat for migrating birds. This opportunity is being offered through NRCS' Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative (MBHI).

Through MBHI, NRCS will work with agricultural producers to create or enhance shallow water, mud flat, and moist soil habitats to benefit a variety of migratory birds. MBHI projects provide: 1) food and critical habitat for bird populations; 2) much-needed water during drought; 3) support for local economies by attracting hunters and bird watchers; and 4) new opportunities to improve wildlife management.

Eligible areas for Louisiana's 2012 Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative include portions of: Acadia, Allen, Assumption, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Plaquemines, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebonne, and Vermilion.

"I encourage interested landowners to visit their local NRCS office as soon as possible," said Sarah Haymaker, Acting State Conservationist in Louisiana. "The application window for the first MBHI ranking pool ends May 18, 2012."

Funding for the 2012 MBHI will be provided through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Applications for EQIP funding are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year; however to be considered in the first MBHI ranking pool, applications must be received by close of business on May 18, 2012.

Interested producers should contact their local Natural Resources Conservation Service office or visit http://www.la.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/MBHI/index.html for more information.