NRCs

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) agency that provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners and land managers for natural resource conservation on farms, ranches, and other private lands. It operates through state and local offices to deliver services and programs.

History and mandate: The agency was established in 1935 as the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) under the Soil Conservation Act in response to the Dust Bowl. It was renamed the Natural Resources Conservation Service in 1994. Its mandate expanded from soil erosion control to include water quality, wildlife habitat, air resources, and broader natural resource conservation on agricultural and rural lands.

Functions and activities: NRCS develops conservation plans and provides technical guidance on practices such as soil and water conservation, erosion control, irrigation efficiency, nutrient management, and wetland restoration. It administers federal financial assistance programs that support the adoption of conservation practices on agricultural and rural lands. The agency maintains national soil data and mapping efforts, including the National Cooperative Soil Survey and the SSURGO database, and collaborates with federal, state, local, tribal, and non-profit partners.

Organization and approach: NRCS is organized through state and local offices and delivers services on a voluntary basis, working with landowners to address resource concerns and meet farm, wildlife, and watershed objectives. It supports watershed planning, habitat restoration, and resilience to resource challenges through partnerships and technical guidance.