A WALK IN WILDLIFE HEAVEN:CONVERTING LOW-PRODUCING LAND TO HABITAT CREATES A PARADISE ON PETE BERTHELSEN'S FARM.

摘要

Strolling across Pete Berthelsen's land in central Nebraska, you glimpse an agricultural heaven. His shop, surrounded by beautiful native prairie plantings, is flanked by clean, flat cornfields on the east and a spectacular view of Sandhills rangelandto the west. Most days about the only sounds you hear are the bobwhite calls or a covey of quail and the buzzing of bees that are soaking up the pollen and nectar of native prairie plants.Berthelsen, a wildlife biologist for Pheasants Forever, is as busy as a bee himself. He is always offering advice on establishing a habitat planting. His message is simple: You are better off identifying poor-producing cropland and looking for another use for it. There are annual payments, sign-up bonuses, and cost-sharing assistance if you are interested in planting a wildlife habitat. The payout can be competitive with returns from marginal cropland, and the natural value is priceless.