About LIP
Who Can Apply
Types of Projects
Selection Process
Criteria/Guidelines
How to Apply
Landowner Incentive Program (LIP)
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About the Landowner Incentive Program
The state of Hawaii contains more biologically unique species than any other state. Unfortunately, this high level of endemism is paralleled by Hawaii also having more imperiled biota than any other state. There are currently 317 taxa of plants and animals listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as endangered or threatened, 12 taxa proposed as endangered, and 105 taxa as candidates for listing in Hawaii. Many of these species are found on private lands in the State. Over 60% of the total land area and 50% of conservation district lands are under private ownership. The cooperation and assistance of private landowners is essential to be able to conserve and restore native flora and fauna.
Recognizing the need to engage private landowners in the conservation of rare and endangered species, USFWS has implemented the Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) to provide funding and technical assistance to enhance, protect, or restore habitats that benefit federally listed, proposed, or candidate species, or other at-risk species on private lands.
Who Can Apply for LIP Grants?
Private landowners, individually or as a group, are encouraged to submit project proposals for their properties. Actions carried out by long-term leaseholders of Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) are also eligible.
Additionally, individuals or groups (for example, land conservancies, community organizations, or conservation organizations) working with private landowners on conservation efforts are also encouraged to submit project proposals provided they identify specific private landowners who have confirmed their intent to participate on the project or provide other evidence in the project proposal to demonstrate landowner participation will occur.
What Types of Projects May Be Funded?
Eligible projects include those by landowners and their partners that need technical and financial assistance to improve habitat or implement other activities on private lands for the benefit of endangered, threatened, proposed, candidate, or other at-risk species (plants and animals).The LIP supports on-the-ground conservation actions as opposed to planning or research activities. Examples of the types of projects that may be funded include removal of alien species that threaten the recovery of native species, reintroduction of rare species, construction of fencing to exclude animals from sensitive habitats, or the planting of native vegetation to restore a rare plant community.
How Will Proposals Be Selected?
This program is funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and there will be a limit on the amount to be awarded to landowners in Hawaii. Ultimately, decisions on which projects are funded are made by the USFWS. However, initial decisions on which projects to include in the grant package the State submits to the Service are made by the Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW).
Applications are reviewed and ranked by a committee made up of DOFAW and local FWS personnel. The primary selection criteria are based on the extent to which proposed actions will help species recovery or will reduce threats to the species. DOFAW submits a complete application package to the USFWS that the USFWS may choose to fund in total or in part. Funds are dispersed to applicants on cost-reimbursement basis after allocated DOFAW and incorporated into the State Fiscal Year budget (July 1 - June 30.) Funds are dispersed to applicants once all purchasing or contracting procedures have been met.
Please call (808) 587-4171 or (808)587-0166 for additional information not presented on this page.
Please send comments, suggestions, or questions to:
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Conservation Initiatives Coordinator
Division of Forestry and Wildlife
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325
Honolulu, HI 96813