Wildlife use of Conservation Reserve Program lands, good, bad and ugly. Allen, Arthur^{*,1, 2}, ¹ U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins, CO, U.S.²

ABSTRACT- The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is the USDA's largest environmental program with over 34 million acres currently enrolled across all 50 States. Since initation in 1986 CRP conservation provisions have evolved to give greater attention to wildlife and environmental issues. Numerous studies document benefits to wildife species associated with grassland covers established under the program. Not all effects of the CRP and its management have been positive. However, the program remains popular with landowners enrolled and a recent survey of participants documents substantial wildlife and environmental benefits associated with the program. Based in part on landowner desires and the need to perodically disturb established CRP grasslands future administration of the program will place greater emphasis on periodic use and management of CRP covers to meet conservation objectives.

KEY WORDS: wildlife, agricultural conservation policy, management