06/06/2026
Applications for the 2026 BirdReturns – Late Summer Farmlands Habitat Program open soon! This program provides financial incentives for farmers and landowners in the Sacramento Valley and Delta to create temporary shallow-flooded habitat for migratory birds during the critical late summer/early fall period.
Application period: June 1- June 22 at 11:59pm (PST)
Program notification: July 20
Program Enrollment Period: August 3-October 2 (5-week commitment; 3 weeks of flooding, 2 weeks of evaporative drawdown)
How to Apply: Submit a one-page application form with a proposed price per acre and a field map.
For more details and how to apply, please visit: birdreturns.org/program/farmlands”