Calling all livestock and conservation pioneers. The Property and Environment Research Center or PERC, a leading provider of creative conservation solutions, launches America's first Virtual Fence Conservation Fund. This groundbreaking, quarter-million dollar initiative aims to improve wildlife protection by enabling ranchers and conservationists to implement virtual fencing technology on public and private lands.
The Fund is now accepting applications from ranchers, landowners and conservation organizations who want to use this promising technology to advance land, water or wildlife conservation initiatives.
“Virtual fencing technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach livestock and conservation in the American West,” said Brian Yablonski, CEO of PERC. “We proudly invite ranchers, landowners and conservation organizations to apply for funding and support to implement a virtual fencing project. By testing and expanding this groundbreaking technology, we can support both wildlife and workspaces.”
Virtual fencing technology uses GPS-enabled collars on livestock poles and base stations to create invisible boundaries without the need for physical fences. This allows for more flexible and wildlife-friendly land management without the need for physical barriers, benefiting both agriculture and conservation. Ranchers also benefit by eliminating the time-consuming and expensive repair, replacement and maintenance of traditional barbed wire fences.
ABOUT THE FUND
PERC's Virtual Fence Conservation Fund aims to advance the use of virtual fences as a tool to conserve and manage critical habitats and ecosystems and to support ranchers. Examples could be:
- Maintaining important migration corridors for wildlife
- Protection of ecologically sensitive habitats
- Predator risk management
- Protection of regrowth areas after forest fires
- Restore riparian corridors
- Securing important waterways
PERC will award a series of grants ranging from $10,000 to $75,000, depending on overall conservation impact and project size. A total of $250,000 is available. The funds can be used to support partially funded projects or completely new initiatives. In addition to funding, PERC's Conservation Innovation Lab will provide guidance and support throughout the implementation of the project. The lab develops groundbreaking ideas and provides creative solutions that promote sustainable conservation outcomes in collaboration with ranchers and conservation organizations.
Eligible applicants include:
- Ranchers and agricultural landowners
- Nature conservation organizations
- Indigenous communities
Successful applicants must demonstrate the following:
- A clear conservation benefit from implementing virtual fences
- A commitment to monitoring and sharing results
- A sustainable plan for the long-term use of the technology
Applications must be submitted by February 1, 2025.
“This fund is an exciting opportunity for enterprising ranchers to improve their operations while supporting conservation,” said Mark Eisele, president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. “Innovations like virtual fencing could transform the future of livestock farming, and partners like PERC bring expertise and support to early adopters.”
VIRTUAL FENCE COMPETENCE
PERC is a leader in research into the use of virtual fencing technology for conservation. Earlier this year, PERC hosted the largest virtual fencing workshop of its kind, bringing together experts from technology, agriculture, government and conservation to discuss the latest developments and analyze how the groundbreaking technology could be used to support wildlife conservation . PERC's Conservation Innovation Lab has also partnered with ranchers to launch virtual fencing projects to benefit migratory big game species, freshwater fish and upland birds.
PERC sees ranchers, farmers and landowners as important conservation partners and works to find flexible solutions that work for both people and wildlife. This adaptable approach has helped PERC maintain a successful track record of partnering with landowners and is praised by the ranching and agriculture community.
“Virtual fence technology holds tremendous potential as a win-win solution to improve landscape permeability and habitat quality for widespread wildlife while increasing the productivity of ranchers,” said Arthur Middleton, USDA senior advisor for wildlife conservation and assistant professor at the U of California Berkeley's Department of Environmental Policy, Science and Management. “It’s exciting to see conservation organizations partnering with ranchers to expand the use of the technology.”
To apply or learn more, visit http://www.perc.org/fencefund.