NRCS Conservation Practices and Materials
Fence Job Sheet
NC Fence Job Sheet Installation Instructions
Watering Facility - CPS 614
A watering facility is a means of providing drinking water to livestock or wildlife.
Streambank and Shoreline Protection - CPS 580
Treatment(s) used to stabilize and protect banks of streams or constructed channels, and shorelines of lakes, reservoirs, or estuaries.
Stream Habitat Improvement and Management - CPS 395
Maintain, improve or restore physical, chemical and biological functions of a stream, and its associated riparian zone, necessary for meeting the life history requirements of desired aquatic species.
Riparian Forest Buffer - CPS 391
An area predominantly trees and/or shrubs located adjacent to and up-gradient from watercourses or water bodies.
Economic and Production Performance of Native Grasses as Forage in the Fescue Belt
The primary purpose of developing this literature review and summary was to inform producers about the potential benefits from utilizing warm-season grasses in the Fescue Belt. Effectively, managing forages is not always straightforward for livestock producers. Summarizing the economic and production benefits from using warm-season grasses could help producers make more informed forage management decision and might encourage producers to consider adopting warm-season grasses. Furthermore, this literature review also gathered information about the potential benefits of using native grasslands as forage to the quail population in this region, which could likely result in an economic benefit to the producer from leasing farmland to hunters.
Assessment of Native Grasses for Forage & Bobwhite Habitat
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, through its Center for Native Grasslands Management will conduct a study to evaluate the effectiveness of a working lands conservation model for enhancing northern bobwhite and other grasslands wildlife populations. Specifically, we will evaluate native grass forage production within fescue-belt landscapes to determine how effective this strategy is for improved survival and productivity of northern bobwhite and abundance of associated grassland bird species. The study will be conducted in cooperation with partner agencies within the fescue belt.
Outcomes from Delivery of NRCS's WLFW-Bobwhite in Managed Pine Savannahs
In 2016, the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Working Lands for Wildlife partnership began funding management activities designed to enhance, restore, and protect bobwhites habitat on private lands. Through the WLFW program, NRCS is able to assist landowners to voluntarily create and maintain bobwhite habitat in order to support the range-wide recovery of the species. In 2018, NRCS entered into an agreement with the University of Georgia to assess habitat outcomes and bobwhite population response to our conservation actions. n collaboration with the University of Georgia, NRCS is now looking to monitor some of these managed lands to help tease out habitat features that promote excellent bobwhite habitat. If possible, additional information (e.g., other forestry management actions employed) may also be collected through interviews with landowners and/or conservation partners.
Southeastern Hellbender Conservation Initiative
The Southeastern Hellbender Conservation Initiative (SEHCI), a collaboration between Defenders of Wildlife, NRCS and other conservation partners to support farmers using conservation practices on their lands that help restore hellbender habitat.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
NRCS helps America’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners conserve the nation’s soil, water, air and other natural resources. All programs are voluntary and offer science-based solutions that benefit both the landowner and the environment.
NBCI BRI Map for Northern Bobwhite
Developed by the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative partnership, this Biological Ranking Information map denotes prioritized counties across the 25-state area of NBCI activity. Within NRCS, states participating in Working Lands for Wildlife-Northern bobwhite select from the blue priority counties to identify areas within each state where sign-ups for Farm Bill programs will occur.
2018 TRBN Annual Meeting Summary Report
Here you can access and download the Summary Report for 2018's Annual Meeting.
Tennessee River Basin Report Card - Methods Document
Below you can access a document that covers the methodology used by UMCES to develop the TRB Report Card.
City of Chattanooga Water Quality Program Materials
Dr. Mounir Minkara with the City of Chattanooga's Water Quality Program presented on the City's management and outreach efforts to preserve and enhance their city's physical environment. Below you can access an information packet on How to Construct a Rain Garden and My Tennessee Clean Water Initiative for Chattanooga TN homeowners.
Session 5 - Resolution
A review and revision of the "Resolution" or "Statement of Commitment" the partners started in December Working Group. These are the Discussion Notes with a link to the working document (open to the partners to continue to add review comments, recommendations, and propose revisions.) For questions contact Bridgett Costanzo, NRCS.
2018-Spring Steering Committee Meeting Notes
March 6, 2018 10:00 am – March 7, 2018
Final Agenda & Notes (links) - Partners Meeting - 2018-04-19
Greater Appalachian Conservation Partnership Meeting - April 19th at NCTC 10:00-4:00
Integrating Visual and Cultural Resource Evaluation and Impact Assessment for Landscape Conservation Design and Planning
While there is an increased need for cultural resource conservation and management in North America, there are few approaches that provide robust integration and combined assessment of visual and cultural resources. Determining the scenic value of important views and identifying potential risk for loss of that view are core components needed to design protection preserving scenic quality and the cultural resources contributing to scenic value and overall sense of place.
Working Lands for Wildlife
Through Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW), NRCS works with partners and private landowners to focus voluntary conservation on working landscapes. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers, helping them plan and implement conservation practices that benefit target species and priority landscapes.
