NRCS Conservation Practices and Materials
FY 2023 NRCS Landscape Conservation Initiatives
Map of FY 2023 NRCS Landscape Conservation Initiatives
Yazoo Darter
The Yazoo darter (Etheostoma raneyi) is a small fish that is found only in two watersheds – the Little Tallahatchie and Yocona River watersheds in northern Mississippi.
Shorebirds of Louisiana Wetlands
Birds like the lesser yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes), buff-breasted sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis), stilt sandpiper (Calidris himantopus) and short-billed dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) use Louisiana’s wetlands as pit stops during their annual journeys south.
Northeast Turtles
The wetlands of the Northeast are home to a variety of wildlife, including the rare Blandings turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) and spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata). All three of these turtles are under consideration for listing under the Endangered Species Act.
Northern Bobwhite Quail, Grasslands & Savannas
The Northern Bobwhite, Grasslands and Savannas Partner Website is for information sharing by technical experts within NRCS and among its partners. You must login or register with the provider to access the folders. The site was funded for NRCS and its staff and partners to collaborate, store and share information.
Blanding's Turtle
The Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) inhabits wetland areas of 15 states in the Northeast and Midwest.
Eastern Hellbender
The Eastern Hellbender Partner Website was funded for NRCS and its partners to collaborate in support of private landowners to implement Working Lands for Wildlife partnership
Conasauga River Aquatic Species
The Conasauga River in southern Tennessee and northern Georgia is known for its exceptional mussel, snail, crayfish and fish biodiversity.
Colorado River Mussels
Six at-risk mussels that inhabit the Colorado River basin in Texas – false spike, Texas fatmucket, golden orb, smooth pimpleback, Texas pimpleback and Texas fawnsfoot – have suffered declines.
American Black Duck
The American Black Duck Partner Website was funded for NRCS and its partners to collaborate in support of private landowners to implement the Working Lands for Wildlife partnership.
Golden-Winged Warbler
The Golden-Winged Warbler Partner website was funded for NRCS and its partners to collaborate in support of private landowners to implement Working Lands for Wildlife partnership
Bog Turtle
The Bog Turtle Partner Website was funded for NRCS and its partners to collaborate in support of private landowners to implement Working Lands for Wildlife partnership.
Gopher Tortoise
NRCS offers technical and financial assistance to help agricultural producers voluntarily conserve gopher tortoise habitat on private lands. This assistance helps producers plan and implement a variety of conservation activities, or practices, that benefit the tortoise and support forestry operations.
Monarch Butterfly
NRCS is working with America's farmers, ranchers, and forest managers on voluntary conservation efforts to combat the decline of monarchs on private lands by establishing new habitat and managing existing habitat for monarchs and pollinators.
Poster Presentation: Seeing Past the Green: Quantifying the Characteristics of High-graded Forests
Download the Poster Presentation for "Seeing Past the Green: Quantifying the Characteristics of HIgh-Graded Forests
Decision Support Tools to Inform the Rehabilitation and Management of High Graded Forests
Abstract Numerous forests in the eastern United States have been degraded due to past exploitative timber harvesting known as high grading. High graded forest stands may not improve without active re- habilitation and may require targeted silvicultural treatments. This study focuses on high graded mixed-oak (mixed-Quercus spp.) stands and aims to develop a model that can identify past high grading and to determine modifications that may improve forest management recommendations provided by the prominent decision support tool, SILVAH. We present a model that uses standard forest inventory measurements and does not require knowledge of preharvest stand conditions to predict with moderate to high accuracy whether a stand was high graded, which could be par- ticularly useful for nonindustrial private forests. Results indicate that modifications to SILVAH may be necessary to improve its utility for prescribing silvicultural treatments in high graded stands. Study Implications: High graded forest stands are often not readily apparent and likely require specific forest management practices. We present a tool that uses standard forest inventory meas- urements to predict past high grading, which can be used to inform and prioritize forest manage- ment decisions. We also present suggested modifications to the prominent decision support tool, SILVAH, that may improve its ability to prescribe optimal silvicultural treatments for high graded stands. Results from this study provide forestry professionals/landowners working in the mixed- oak forests of the northeastern United States with tools to inform forest management decisions that aim to return degraded stands to healthier and more productive states.
WLFW Northern bobwhite, Grasslands, and Savannas Framework - Partners’ webinar 3/2/2022
On March 2, 2022 Bridgett Costanzo of NRCS's Working Lands for Wildlife and Jessica McGuire of QF presented on the WLFW framework for NOBO, grasslands and savannas. Ms. Costanzo presented on the content of the new framework document, the priority areas and conservation practice goals set by the 24 NRCS state offices, and responses received from the needs assessment survey. Ms. McGuire presented on staffing and monitoring plans associated with launching this framework.
Golden-winged Warbler Landowner Outreach Mailer Template
This editible mailer template from the Golden-winged Warbler Working Group is a great way to generate private landowner interest in your area! It outlines the importance and benefits of Golden-winged Warbler habitat and how landowners can participate or get more information.
NY NRCS Area Biologist Reflects on Nearly Two Decades of Conservation Success
Elizabeth Marks, NRCS Area Biologist, discusses the Bog Turtle Working Lands for Wildlife partnership in New York
Framework for Conservation Action in the Sagebrush Biome
This action-based framework is the culmination of multi-state, areawide planning initiated to update SGI 2.0 and its ongoing success in 2021-2025. This framework also serves as NRCS’ ongoing contribution to the Sagebrush Conservation Strategy administered by Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Sharing common cross-boundary threats, NRCS staff across 11 western states collaborated to create this shared vision for conservation action.
