NRCS Conservation Practices and Materials
Impediments to Prescribed Burning: NRCS Interviews
NRCS contracted with NC State to conduct a series of interviews with NRCS state office and field staff, along with some key partners, to collect observations on major impediments to implementing prescribed burning on-the-ground. The Executive Summary is posted here; for a copy of the full report contact Bridgett.Costanzo@usda.gov.
Soil, pH, Northeast
Soil pH measures acidity, which affects nutrient uptake by plants. The most common soil laboratory measurement of pH is the 1:1 water method. A crushed soil sample is mixed with an equal amount of water, and a measurement is made of the suspension. The dataset was derived from the following source: -U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). This data set consists of general soil association units. It was developed by the National Cooperative Soil Survey and supersedes the State Soil Geographic (STATSGO) data set published in 1994. It consists of a broad based inventory of soils and nonsoil areas that occur in a repeatable pattern on the landscape and that can be cartographically shown at the scale mapped. The data set was created by generalizing more detailed soil survey maps. Where more detailed soil survey maps were not available, data on geology, topography, vegetation, and climate were assembled, together with Land Remote Sensing Satellite (LANDSAT) images. Soils of like areas were studied, and the probable classification and extent of the soils were determined.
Healing from the Inside Out
Perspectives from the first Indigenous woman to ever serve as a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Native American liaison
American Black Duck Non-Breeding Watershed Prioritization
An interactive map from the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture, Ducks Unlimited, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and Black Duck Joint Venture which identifies priority watersheds that are crucial for meeting habitat requirements for black ducks. Use this map to identify areas of importance that coincide with the NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife Black Duck Program map.
Maryland Shallow Water Area Fact Sheet
The state of Maryland NRCS fact sheet for shallow water areas, a common practice used in creating or restoring habitat for waterfowl use.
Virginia 314: Brush Management
This standard allows for the removal and management of woody plants including invasive and noxious plants. Using this standard will allow landowners with existing degraded wetlands or waterfowl shallow water areas to clean up the area and return it to early successional vegetation.
Virginia 315: Herbaceous Weed Treatment
This standard allows for the removal or control of herbaceous weeds including invasive, noxious, and prohibited plants. This practice is applicable for areas that have excessive Phragmites australis growth allowing for removal and management of these areas to let native plants to reestablish.
Virginia 327: Conservation Cover
This standard is utilized for establishing vegetative cover to enhance wildlife habitat.
Virginia 338: Prescribed Burning
This practice is utilized as another method to control unwanted or invasive species, as well as promote early successional plant growth. Early successional moist soil plants are a vital dietary source for waterfowl and other wildlife species.
Virginia 356: Dike
This standard allows for the construction of an earthen berm to assist in controlling water levels for waterfowl management.
Virginia 378: Pond
This standard allows for an area to impound water through excavation or an earthen embankment. For waterfowl, a pond standard consisting of shallow excavation and a berm of no more than 3 FT is suggested.
Virginia 587: Structure for Water Control
This standard allows for the installation of a water control structure to provide the manipulation of water levels. The ability to control water levels in a shallow water waterfowl impoundment can allow for proper moist soil management techniques.
Virginia 644: Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management
This practice is supplemented with other wetland standards to provide financial assistance in the management of a wetland for wildlife habitat.
Virginia 645: Upland Wildlife Habitat Management
This practice consists of the management of food, cover, and shelter for wildlife which can be utilized for waterfowl nesting habitat.
Virginia 646: Shallow Water Development and Management
This practice is supplemented in the creation of a shallow water area for waterfowl management.
Virginia 657: Wetland Restoration
This standard consists of returning a wetland and its functions to a close representation of its original condition prior to being disturbed. It applies for areas with hydric soils that have been converted to non-wetland by filling, draining, or other hydrology changes.
Virginia 658: Wetland Creation
This practice is utilized when building a wetland in an area that was not historically a wetland. If a site has non-hydric soils, this practice is used in the creation of wetland features including shallow water wetlands for waterfowl.
Delaware 644: Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management
This practice is supplemented with other wetland standards to provide financial assistance in the management of a wetland for wildlife habitat.
Maryland 644: Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management
This practice is supplemented with other wetland standards to provide financial assistance in the management of a wetland for wildlife habitat.
Maryland 657: Wetland Restoration
This standard consists of returning a wetland and its functions to a close representation of its original condition prior to being disturbed. It applies for areas with hydric soils that have been converted to non-wetland by filling, draining, or other hydrology changes.