NRCS: NRCS: On the On the Land, Land, For For the Landthe Land

Natural Resources Natural Resources Conservation ServiceConservation Service Agency of the U.S. Department

of Agriculture (Previously SCS) Created in 1935 in response to

the Dust Bowl crisis Non-regulatory--NRCS works

with landowners on a voluntary basis

NRCS is NRCS is notnot a regulatory agency a regulatory agency Provide technical assistance in...

– natural resource planning– design & engineering– implementation of techniques used to

reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and protect natural resources

NRCS NRCS Mission:Mission:

To provide leadership in a partnership effort

to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources

and environment.

NRCS ClientsNRCS Clients ... Farmers & Ranchers Local units of government Community groups Park and Forest Preserve Districts Watershed Planning groups ALL Private landowners who need

natural resource help!

NRCS is not politically NRCS is not politically aligned with regulatory aligned with regulatory agencies or environmental agencies or environmental organizationsorganizations.However, NRCS works However, NRCS works with both, helping them with both, helping them to achieve their to achieve their environmental goals.environmental goals.

NRCS Programs Address ...NRCS Programs Address ... Conservation needs on the farm Community stormwater management

issues Erosion and sediment control Water quality problems--rural & urban Flood prevention and damage repair Soil health & soil quality Wildlife habitat restoration & management Wetland creation & restoration

Local SWCDsLocal SWCDs Soil and Water Conservation

Districts Composed of locally elected

volunteers NRCS works hand-in-hand with

SWCDs to address local conservation issues

90% of NRCS’ Staff are 90% of NRCS’ Staff are Technical Specialists!Technical Specialists!

We still have forms and We still have forms and paperwork, but we are out paperwork, but we are out on the land MORE than on the land MORE than we are behind our desks!we are behind our desks!

NRCS Technical Specialists...NRCS Technical Specialists... Soil Scientists Biologists--Wetlands and Wildlife Streambank Stabilization Specialists Engineers--Civil/Agricultural/Hydraulic Environmental Specialists Soil Conservationists Agronomy & Water Quality Specialists Community Planners Resource Planning Specialists

NRCS provides assistance NRCS provides assistance on private lands...on private lands... ...on the rural landscape ...in urban & developing

communities ...to limited resource landowners ...on Indian and Tribal lands ...in Park Districts, schools, golf

courses, and many others

NRCS also works with schools NRCS also works with schools across the state, helping them to across the state, helping them to

plan and implement special plan and implement special environmental/conservation environmental/conservation

projects on school properties.projects on school properties.

School Projects Include...School Projects Include... Agricultural science crop plots Wetland environments Community gardens Tree planting workshops Prairie landscapes Trails and interpretive walks Drainage concerns Outdoor classrooms

Working with landowners is Working with landowners is second nature to NRCSsecond nature to NRCS

Our goal is to help private landowners protect soil, improve

water quality, and increase biodiversity.

The NRCS Process is Simple:The NRCS Process is Simple:1. Meet with client and discuss

resource issues and goals- Define the resource problem/issue- Identify your needs- What limitations must we consider?- What do you want to create?- What do you want to accomplish?- What budget restraints exist?

Process (continued)Process (continued)2. Inventory & evaluate onsite

conditions and natural resources3. Develop a plan designed to

achieve YOUR objectives and goals.4. Provide one-on-one technical

assistance to help you implement the plan and tend to maintenance issues.

Stream bank ErosionStream bank Erosion Common problem on creeks,

rivers, and small watercourses Impacted by heavy rainfall

events or upstream land use changes

Aesthetically unattractive Contributes to sedimentation

problems

NRCS has time-tested solutions designed to address stream bank erosion problems and to provide a visually attractive, natural landscape.

With bioengineering With bioengineering techniques, the stability techniques, the stability of the area can be of the area can be restored naturally with restored naturally with vegetation. Stream banks vegetation. Stream banks can be stabilized can be stabilized permanently, improving permanently, improving water quality and water quality and providing wildlife habitat.providing wildlife habitat.

Wetland ManagementWetland Management Wetlands require different management

techniques Landscaping around the site can impact

the health and maintenance of the wetland

Undesirable/invasive species can ‘out compete’ native, more desirable species

Important to control species like reed canarygrass, and purple loosestrife

NRCS biologists can NRCS biologists can provide onsite technical provide onsite technical

assistance and assistance and consultation on managing consultation on managing

wetlands. Properly wetlands. Properly managed, wetlands offer managed, wetlands offer water quality and wildlife water quality and wildlife

habitat benefits, habitat benefits, as well as aestheticsas well as aesthetics..

Wetland creation & restoration...Wetland creation & restoration... NRCS can provide plans and designs

for man-made ponds and wetlands NRCS soil scientists can identify

locations where a previous wetland site can be naturally restored

NRCS can offer recommendations on plant species that will thrive and attract desired wildlife

Creating or “regenerating” Creating or “regenerating” a dormant wetland a dormant wetland requires experience with requires experience with wetland soils and plants. wetland soils and plants. NRCS’ technical specialists NRCS’ technical specialists can help you develop a can help you develop a successful and beautiful successful and beautiful wetland environment.wetland environment.

Prairies: Establishment & Prairies: Establishment & ManagementManagement Strategic placement of prairie areas

can address filter and buffer needs Deep-rooted prairie grasses thrive

well in drouthy areas, require low maintenance, and control erosion well

Prairies can be successfully managed with prescribed burning techniques

With NRCS technical With NRCS technical assistance, you can nurture assistance, you can nurture beautiful prairie areas that beautiful prairie areas that reflect the natural historical reflect the natural historical environment of the area.environment of the area.

Proper prairie Proper prairie management will management will ensure its beauty and ensure its beauty and value as habitat for a value as habitat for a variety of wildlife variety of wildlife species, such as species, such as grassland birds, grassland birds, butterflies, and butterflies, and songbirds.songbirds.

Wildlife Habitat DevelopmentWildlife Habitat Development Creates a more natural setting Offers quality “outdoor

experience” for public Educates members and the public

on the value of natural ecosystems

Provides shelter, food, & nesting for a variety of wildlife

Creating a natural Creating a natural setting restores setting restores the landscape to the landscape to what it once was what it once was and improves and improves biodiversity within biodiversity within the watershed.the watershed.

Tree ManagementTree Management Overcrowding can reduce

health of the entire stand Invasive trees and ground

covers compete for water, sunlight, and nutrients

Woodland management techniques can improve the look, the health, and the life span of trees, as well as attract desirable wildlife species.

Special Soil Limitations & Special Soil Limitations & ProblemsProblems Compaction Infiltration Drainage Strength Other soil-related problems

Urban Runoff/Stormwater Issues

Flooding Runoff management

Flow velocity Native plant species appropriate for

wet or dry detention areas

Watershed IssuesWatershed Issues Land use changes in watershed Runoff/stormwater changes Increased flooding problems Involvement in local watershed

planning committees Bridge urban-rural gaps Educate public

NRCS: A Link to Other NRCS: A Link to Other Valuable Partners!Valuable Partners! U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service The Nature Conservancy American Farmland Trust National Park Service Soil & Water Conservation Districts Department of Natural Resources Extension Other environmental groups

Construction Site & Construction Site & Development ConservationDevelopment Conservation Develop construction site erosion control

plans (NRCS Urban Manual) Help community officials develop ordinances

for construction sites & urban development Evaluate community planning needs Provide information & data on farmland

preservation issues

NRCS & Partners Can Offer...NRCS & Partners Can Offer... Technical assistance, guidance,

conservation plans, and engineering designs

Ideas and solutions to meet your environmental/wildlife habitat goals

Cost-Share funds for conservation practices

Accessibility to grants and special funds for wildlife habitat enhancement projects

Programs Available Include...Programs Available Include... “Conservation 2000” These State funds can be used to

implement conservation practices for wildlife, educational programs, or water quality improvements.

EPA 319 Grants These funds can be used to

establish any type of project or conservation practice that improves water quality--prairie grasses, buffer strips, wetlands, or streambank stabilization.

NRCS’ Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP)

WHIP can provide cost-share assistance for conservation practices on cropland that create or enhance wildlife habitat. WHIP is a competitive program.

NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP)

State Habitat Stamp Funds These funds offer cost-share for

the creation, restoration, or improvement of wildlife habitat. Funds can be used for materials, equipment, or practice installation.

U.S, Fish & Wildlife Service’s Private Lands Initiative

These federal funds provide cost-share assistance for wetland restoration projects on private lands.

NRCS’ goals align well NRCS’ goals align well with those of most with those of most communities and private communities and private landowners--landowners--we strive to create a we strive to create a landscape that is landscape that is functional, productive, functional, productive, visually inspiring, and visually inspiring, and healthy.healthy.

Whether the land is on a golf course, a Whether the land is on a golf course, a subdivision, a farm, or a wooded park--it subdivision, a farm, or a wooded park--it should be protected and used in a way that should be protected and used in a way that preserves today’s resources for tomorrow.preserves today’s resources for tomorrow.

For More Information...For More Information... Contact your local NRCS office Contact your local Soil and Water

Conservation District office Visit NRCS’ homepage at

www.il.nrcs.usda.gov

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To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington D.C. 20250, or call 1-800-245-6340 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD).

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