A $3 million federal investment could significantly expand hunting, fishing and wildlife recreation opportunities on privately owned Indiana farmland, creating new incentives for landowners while strengthening conservation efforts across the state.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) $3 million through its Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP), funding an ambitious expansion of Indiana’s Private Lands Access Program. The initiative targets enrollment of 62,451 acres and more than 175 participating landowners, opening additional private property to public hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing while providing opportunities to improve wildlife habitat.
For Indiana farmers and rural landowners, the investment represents an opportunity to potentially generate additional value from privately owned acreage while maintaining a focus on conservation and responsible land management. The program specifically targets hunting opportunities for game birds, waterfowl, wild turkey, deer and small game. Where appropriate, a portion of the federal funding will also support wildlife habitat improvements using conservation practices that meet USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) standards.
The Indiana program has been operating since 2018 and was further developed in 2020 with support from an earlier VPA-HIP award. To date, more than 32,000 acres have been enrolled, with 46 landowners participating. The latest $3 million award would substantially expand that footprint, increasing the program’s enrollment target to 62,451 acres and more than tripling the number of participating landowners.
Fishing access and wildlife viewing are also major components of the expansion. Indiana DNR plans to establish 30 contracts covering a targeted 475,200 feet of streambank to provide additional public fishing access. The initiative also calls for developing 10 sites in partnership with conservation cooperators across Indiana to provide public opportunities for wildlife viewing. Depending on the location and accessibility needs, improvements could include boardwalks and wildlife viewing platforms.
Another important component involves integrating existing conservation acreage into the public access initiative. Indiana’s goal is for 20% of all enrolled lands to consist of tracts within the Wetland Reserve Easements and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. That approach could help connect public recreation opportunities with existing conservation investments that protect wetlands, improve wildlife habitat and provide environmental benefits on working agricultural landscapes.
The Indiana award is part of a larger USDA investment of $21 million in 10 additional projects announced Nov. 2. Those awards represent the second round of funding through VPA-HIP, bringing USDA’s total investment to $70 million across 29 projects nationwide. The first round, announced in July 2026, provided $49 million to 19 projects.
“One of my main priorities has been expanding wildlife conservation and outdoor access through locally led partnerships,” said NRCS Chief Colton L. Buckley. “The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program enables us to work with state and tribal partners to provide recreational access to private lands, support rural communities and ensure we are keeping working land in working hands.”
The program provides competitive grants to state and tribal governments to encourage voluntary public access to privately owned land for hunting, fishing and other wildlife-dependent recreation. Individual projects can run for up to three years, with awards ranging from $833,000 to $3 million. Participating program sponsors can dedicate up to 25% of their funding to provide incentives for landowners to improve wildlife habitat on enrolled properties.
The restoration of VPA-HIP funding through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act made the latest round of federal investments possible. USDA’s broader objective is to strengthen partnerships between agricultural producers, private landowners, conservation organizations and state agencies while expanding outdoor recreation opportunities.
For Indiana agriculture, the $3 million award could create a significant opportunity to bring more private acreage into voluntary conservation and public access efforts. With enrollment targets exceeding 62,000 acres, more than 175 landowners and nearly 475,000 feet of streambank, the expansion has the potential to deliver benefits extending well beyond hunting season — supporting wildlife habitat, improving access to Indiana’s natural resources and creating additional opportunities for rural communities.
Importantly, participation is voluntary, keeping private landowners at the center of the program. As Indiana DNR moves forward with the expansion, the success of the initiative will depend on building partnerships with landowners willing to make portions of their property available while helping advance wildlife conservation across the Hoosier State.
