Panhandle Grassland Restoration Incentive Grant Program

The Panhandle Grassland Restoration Incentive Program (PGRIP) is a collaborative conservation initiative administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), in partnership with Quail Forever, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This program aims to address significant habitat degradation in the High Plains and Rolling Plains of Texas, where native grasslands have been increasingly lost due to encroachment from brush species like mesquite and juniper, conversion to agricultural uses, and expanding urban and rural development. These changes have reduced the quality and extent of habitat available for a range of native wildlife species, including bobwhite quail, pronghorn, mule deer, and other grassland-dependent birds and mammals. PGRIP offers financial support to private landowners and agricultural producers who voluntarily adopt conservation practices that improve and restore native grassland ecosystems. The program specifically targets practices such as brush management, prescribed burning, herbaceous weed treatment, planting of native grasses and wildlife-supportive vegetation, and implementing prescribed grazing strategies. These conservation actions are designed to improve habitat quality, enhance biodiversity, and increase the resilience of rangelands to future environmental stresses. Since its launch in 2023, PGRIP has already made a significant impact by allocating over $635,000 in funding and treating nearly 15,000 acres of grassland habitat. This demonstrates the program’s commitment to long-term ecosystem recovery and landscape-scale conservation in West Texas. The program prioritizes certain counties for funding based on habitat conditions and conservation needs, with clear distinctions between priority counties and other eligible counties. Landowners in these areas are encouraged to apply, with applications accepted for projects of at least 25 acres, and projects covering 100 acres or more receiving preference. The current application window runs from February 6 to March 27, 2026. Applications must be submitted by the deadline for consideration during this round. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact TPWD biologists for guidance on eligibility boundaries, recommended practices, and how to develop a strong application. Priority is generally given to projects in defined priority areas, though all counties listed as eligible are considered. Applicants are reminded that specific program restrictions and conditions may apply, and project implementation will be based on ecological appropriateness and resource availability. The review process will evaluate the proposed conservation practices for ecological impact, acreage, location within priority areas, and landowner commitment to maintenance and monitoring. While no formal pre-application steps such as a letter of intent are required, early engagement with a TPWD biologist is advised to help applicants align proposals with program goals. Successful applicants will receive financial assistance and technical support to implement their approved practices. For more information or assistance with the application process, landowners and producers may contact Austin Teague, Senior Biologist for District 2, at 806-476-9829 or by email at [email protected]. Additional guidance is available from local TPWD field offices.