Renewable Natural Resources: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Research Guide for Renewable Natural Resources. This is a great starting place when researching.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Natural Resources Conservation Service
On April 27, 1935, Congress passed Public Law 74-46, in which it recognized that "the wastage of soil and moisture resources on farm, grazing, and forest lands... is a menace to the national welfare" and established the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) as a permanent agency in the USDA. Hugh Hammond Bennett, the “father of soil conservation,” was named SCS Chief.
In 1994, Congress changed the SCS’s name to the Natural Resources Conservation Service to better reflect the broadened scope of the agency’s work. In doing so, Congress reaffirmed the federal commitment to the conservation of the nation's soil and water resources, first made nearly 90 years ago, that continues to this day.
-
Louisiana NRCSFrom the windswept marshes of coastal Louisiana, to the rice and crawfish fields in Cajun country, to the upland forestland at the top of our state, the beauty of Louisiana captivates. Our landscape is as diverse as our producers, with a common thread that binds our state as one... Conservation.
Soil Surveys and Soil Health
-
Web Soil SurveyWeb Soil Survey (WSS) provides soil data and information produced by the National Cooperative Soil Survey.
-
Soil Surveys by StateHistorical soil surveys have been scanned, converted to portable document format (pdf), and archived on a public download site.
-
Soil HealthSoil is not an inert growing medium – it is a living and life-giving natural resource. It is teaming with billions of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes that are the foundation of an elegant symbiotic ecosystem.
-
Soil Resources and PublicationsResources and publications offering information on soil health are provided below.
Topics
Natural Resource Concerns
-
SoilAmerica’s vitality is rooted in the soil. Today, private landowners across the country are partnering with NRCS to conserve and improve soil. Additionally, NRCS is also a leader in soil science, playing a pivotal role in classifying and mapping soils as part of the National Cooperative Soil Survey.
-
WaterFarmers, ranchers, and forest landowners recognize water as our Nation’s most precious resource. Every day, new producers are stepping up to work hand-in-hand with NRCS to implement systems that conserve water and keep valuable nutrients on the field and out of local waterways.
-
PlantsPlants are common ingredients in many NRCS conservation practices. That’s because they hold soil in place, protect stream banks and shores, filter pollutants, offer food for livestock, and cover for wildlife. They also heal the land after wildfire, flood,s and drought.
-
AnimalsBoth domestic and wild animals are a critical component of ecosystems and our environment. Domesticated animals, such as livestock, provide us with food and fiber, while wildlife support healthy ecosystems.
-
LandNo matter if you grow crops or raise livestock, or you manage timber or want to improve your private land, NRCS has options for you that are good for your land and its natural resources.
-
AirNRCS helps private landowners conserve our air resources and address air quality issues on farms and ranches.
-
EnergyFarmers and ranchers can cut input costs, maintain production, protect soil and water resources, reduce the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels, and save money by using conservation practices.
-
ClimateClimate change threatens agricultural production, forest resources and rural economies. NRCS offers a variety of programs, services, resources, and tools to help farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, and partners pursue voluntary conservation efforts to deliver climate solutions.
-
Wildlife HabitatTwo-thirds of the land in the lower 48 states is privately owned, and produce much of the country’s food and fiber. They also provide much of our nation’s open space and the habitats that wildlife need.
-
Invasive Species and PestsInvasive plants and pests can ruin crop fields and forests and drastically alter the natural processes of ecosystems.
-
WatershedsWatersheds impact everyone; every community, farm, ranch, and forest. They provide a vital resource for all living things to survive and thrive. All watersheds are interconnected, creating a land-water system that conveys water to its final destination such as a river, lake, wetland, or estuary.