NRCS Conservation Practices and Materials
Introducing Habitat Restoration for Black Duck
An intro video for landowners, farmers, and others to learn about ways to increase habitat for the American Black Duck in partnership with NRCS and the Delaware Conservation Partnership
American Black Duck Fact Sheet for Delaware Residents
The current fact sheet and applicable practices for the American Black Duck NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife Program in Delaware.
American Black Duck Fact Sheet for Eastern Shore Virginia Residents
The current fact sheet and applicable practices for the Working Lands for Wildlife Black Duck Program in Virginia.
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
Maryland 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.
Maryland 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.
Maryland 356: Dike
This standard allows for the construction of an earthen berm to assist in controlling water levels for waterfowl management.
Maryland 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.
Maryland 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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 356: Dike
This standard allows for the construction of an earthen berm to assist in controlling water levels for waterfowl management.
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.
