Phil Gipson of Wabaunsee County, Kansas, is an enthusiastic Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participant. Since purchasing his property three short years ago, he has enrolled acreage in four separate CRP contracts, giving wildlife and conservation concerns a high priority.

Phil's first CRP contract includes 20 separate fields with Contour Grass Strips, which were planted on terraces to enhance water quality and reduce soil erosion between cropped areas.

Phil's second contract has 33 separate fields where he has installed Riparian Buffers Strips and Field Windbreaks. Nearly 12,000 trees were planted in seven fields for the Riparian Buffer Strips. And, Phil plans to plant an additional 6,800 trees in 26 fields for Field Windbreaks. Riparian Buffer Strips remove nutrients, sediment, organic matter, pesticides, and other pollutants from surface runoff and subsurface flow by deposition, absorption, plant uptake, denitrification, and other processes, thereby reducing pollution and protecting surface and subsurface water quality. The Field Windbreaks will reduce soil erosion and enhance wildlife habitat.

The third CRP contract has three fields with the practice, Bottomland Timber Establishment on Wetlands. This practice was applied within a 100-year flood plain and will control sheet, rill, scour, and other erosion; reduce water, air and land pollution; restore and enhance the natural and beneficial functions of wetlands; promote carbon sequestration; and restore wildlife habitat.

Last but not least, the fourth contract has 23 fields containing the practice Rare and Declining Habitat. This practice will restore the functions and values of critically endangered and threatened habitats.

Contour Grass Strips and Bottomland Timber Establishment on Phil Gipson's land.

Field Windbreak on Phil Gipson's land.

Riparian Buffer and Field Windbreak on Phil Gibson's land.

Riparian Buffers and Contour Grass Strips on Phil Gipson's land.