The state-federal Landowner Incentive Program grant covered the cost of materials to fence the two-acre pen, and paid for a set of mongoose traps to help protect the birds from predation. Baldwin said his investment in labor to install the fencing, and his son Duke's time in overseeing the mongoose trapping represent considerably more financial cost than the $13,000 grant, but it's worth it to the Baldwin clan.

The three-year-old incentive program provided him and his family with the hope that some of the native geese, after leaving the pen, would take up residence at the 800-acre ranch, near Makawao on the slopes of Haleakala.

Wildlife biologist Bill Standley, the conservation initiatives coordinator with the state Division of Forestry and Wildlife, said that since its first year, the program has had more applicants than it could approve. That year, the state selected what it felt were the top 15 projects, and awarded them a total of $1.5 million. Last year, 11 projects received $1.1 million. This year, applications cover 14 projects on five islands, but Congress has not yet established how much money will be available for projects this year.

Nene flock together in a pen at Pi'iholo Ranch on Maui, where Peter Baldwin and his family run a horseback-riding and ecotourism enterprise. Christie Wilson • The Honolulu Advertiser

"The cooperation and assistance of private landowners is essential to be able to conserve and restore native flora and fauna," said Peter Young, chairman of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Hawai'i has 378 species on the threatened or endangered list, with 127 other species proposed for listing.

Standley said that most of the approved projects involve fencing, primarily to keep predators and herbivores out of native species habitat. Other projects involve planting native species, and removing weeds. Landowners must contribute at least a quarter of the cost of the project, either in cash or in-kind efforts like labor, materials or the use of equipment.

The Nature Conservancy of Hawai'i has received money for several projects, including one to control rats near nesting sites at its Honouliuli Reserve on O'ahu and another to protect green and hawksbill nesting sites at the Big Island's Kamehame Beach. Bishop Museum has a forest restoration project on Lana'i with Landowner Incentive Program money.

Standley said that some landowners may be able to use the project to help accomplish things they need to do on their properties, while also helping endangered species. For others, it's more of a commitment to the environment than a profitable venture.

The Baldwins run a horseback- riding and ecotour operation at the ranch, but Baldwin doubts the nene project makes much of a difference there.

"It's hard to say how many people come to us because of the nene. Probably none. But we can point out the release pen and tell them about the birds, and I think they like that," he said.