02-26 | Funding Available for Grassland Restoration in High Plains, Rolling Plains of Texas

Feb. 26, 2026

Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030

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AUSTIN – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), in partnership with Quail Forever, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is now accepting applications for the Panhandle Grassland Restoration Incentive Program (PGRIP).

West Texas has lost significant native grassland habitat due to increases in tree cover (for example, mesquite and juniper), conversion to cropland or pastureland, and urban and rural development. This loss threatens wildlife species such as bobwhite quail and other grassland birds, as well as pronghorn and mule deer that depend on large, intact, healthy native grasslands. PGRIP provides financial assistance to landowners and agricultural producers who voluntarily implement conservation practices to restore these habitats.

Eligible practices include:

Brush management (including mesquite, juniper)
Prescribed burning
Herbaceous weed treatment
Planting native grasses and wildlife-friendly plants
Prescribed grazing

Since starting in 2023, PGRIP has obligated over $635,000 and successfully treated nearly 15,000 acres of native grassland habitat in the High Plains and Rolling Plains of Texas.

Who can apply?

Landowners and producers in the following counties (with exceptions):

Priority counties – Armstrong, Bailey, Carson, Castro, Cochran, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Donley, Gray, Hartley, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Lynn, Moore, Ochiltree, Oldham, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Terry, Wheeler, and Yoakum (for precise priority area boundaries, contact TPWD).

Other eligible counties – Andrews, Borden, Briscoe, Childress, Collingsworth, Cottle, Dawson, Dickens, Fisher, Floyd, Foard, Gaines, Hale, Hall, Hansford, Hardeman, Haskell, Hockley, Jones, Kent, Knox, Lamb, Martin, Motley, Scurry, Sherman, Stonewall, and Swisher (entire counties open), as well as priority counties outside defined priority areas (contact TPWD).

Application Period:

Feb. 6 – March 27, 2026

Minimum project size of 25 acres, 100 or greater preferred.

Additional program restrictions apply.

For more information, contact your local TPWD biologist or reach out to Austin Teague, senior biologist (District 2, TPWD), 806-476-9829, austin.teague@tpwd.texas.gov