Landowner Incentive Program
The Texas Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) is a collaborative effort between TPWD Wildlife and Inland Fisheries Divisions to meet the needs of private, non-federal landowners wishing to enact good conservation practices on their lands for the benefit of healthy terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. LIP is funded through partnerships with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and other partners.
NOTE: TPWD LIP cannot assist in costs for pond or tank development without a direct tie to federally listed species. Current TPWD employees or acting TPWD Commissioners are not eligible for grants through the LIP program.
Getting Started
The Texas LIP currently offers the following funding options
LIP Partners Watershed Funding Series
The LIP Partners Watershed Funding Series is designed to meet the needs of private, non-federal landowners wishing to enact good conservation practices on their lands. This allocation of LIP funding is made possible through a cooperative agreement with the USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. All projects approved for funding are thereby subject to the terms and conditions of that Program
- Pre-proposal submission deadline: February 10th, 2025.
- Exceptional projects will be funded on a rolling basis so don't wait for a submission deadline to submit.
What's Going On With LIP?
LIP in Action: Llano River Watershed, Mason County
This spring was fenced out from continuous cattle grazing to encourage the growth of riparian vegetation. Native riparian vegetation provides a buffer from nutrients flowing into the system, habitat for wildlife, and benefits the spring and aquatic fauna.
Texas LIP currently offers the following funding options
The LIP Partners Watershed Funding Series
- Pre-proposal submission deadline: February 10th, 2025.
- Selected pre-proposals will then be required to submit a full proposal (template will be provided).
- After ranking and careful review by committee projects selected for funding can anticipate having a contract in place by October 2020, so plan work timeline accordingly.
The LIP Partners Watershed Funding Series is designed to meet the needs of private, non-federal landowners wishing to enact good conservation practices on their lands. This allocation of LIP funding is made possible through a grant from the USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. All projects approved for funding are thereby subject to the terms and conditions of that Program. Projects supported by this funding series are managed jointly by TPWD and USFWS biologists. The goal of this funding series is to establish, restore, and/or enhance habitat for state and federal trust fish, wildlife and plant species on privately owned lands (non-state and non-federal).
Project proposals will be prioritized based on the following criteria:
- Highest priority: projects within identified priority areas that are expected to directly benefit Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed species and their habitats
- High priority: projects that are expected to directly benefit ESA-listed species and their habitats, but not located in a priority area
- Other priority: projects that are expected to benefit other state or federal trust species and their habitats.
Regardless of location, good projects are encouraged to apply and will be reviewed and receive funding if available.
Special emphasis will be placed on projects that also show benefit to
Additional selection prioritization factors include:
- Cost-effectiveness
- Efficiency and sustainability of the proposed restoration action
- Matching contributions volunteered by private landowners to implement the proposed restoration action
- Proximity of the proposed action to USFWS, TPWD, or other privately protected areas,
- Relevance to emerging fish, wildlife, plant and habitat conservation issue.
- Long term protection
Additional Questions?
Contact your local TPWD Wildlife biologist and/or any of the additional contacts provided in the funding series descriptions listed above.
LIP Contacts