Upland Wildlife Habitat Management

upland wildlife habitatUpland Wildlife Habitat Management is creating, restoring, maintaining, or enhancing areas for food, cover, and water for upland wildlife and species which use upland habitat for a portion of their life cycle.


Planting perennial ground cover such as grasses, shrubs, and trees can reduce soil erosion, filter runoff, and increase infiltration. Carefully planned wildlife habitat can add value and beauty to the landscape.


This conservation practice may be applied as part of a system to accomplish one or more of the following resource management objectives:


  • To provide food for the desired wildlife species

  • To provide a variety of cover types for the desired wildlife species.


    • This practice applies on all landscapes that are suitable for the types of wildlife habitat that are needed within the range of the desired species or the natural community under consideration.


    Upland wildlife habitat management can include structural or vegetative measures to improve food and cover for the desired species of wildlife. Vegetative improvements can involve creating food plots, planting warm or cool season grasses or legumes, forbs, trees or other woody vegetation depending on the desired target wildlife species. Vegetative species planted shall be suitable for the planned purpose, soils, climate, and site conditions. An NRCS conservationist can assist with site-specific seeding recommendations for all habitat elements.