Alabama

USDA Honors Dee River Ranch for Conservation Work
Winners of the 2008 Excellence in Conservation Award. Mike and Ann Dee of Dee River Ranch go the extra mile to ensure their operation is profitable and environmentally sound, while reducing erosion and improving soil and habitat. NRCS Alabama image.
 

Indiana

Wetland Restoration Site to Support Education
NRCS is providing the majority of the funding through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP) for 691-acres of wetlands easements located within a 1,200 acre parcel along the Wabash River near West Terre Haute, Indiana.  This will insure that about half the parcel, recently purchased for $295,000, will be restored to its native condition with help from WREP.

South Carolina

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Publication Wins National Design Award
NRCS in South Carolina and the University of South Carolina were recently recognized for their cooperative efforts to design and publish a book entitled Summary of Natural Resource Concerns in South Carolina.  Graphic Design USA presented NRCS with an American Inhouse Design Award, and as a result, the publication will be featured in their Awards Annual, a 300-page edition seen by an estimated 100,000 individuals at advertising agencies, graphic design firms, corporations, publishers and more.

 

Wisconsin

Earth Day Celebration Marks the 75th Anniversary of the Coon Creek Watershed
The 75th anniversary of the historic Coon Creek Watershed, the first erosion control demonstration in the U.S., was celebrated in the village of Coon Valley in Vernon County on April 25.  In addition, the Driftless Area Initiative, a strategic partnership to focus conservation efforts in the unglaciated region of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois, was featured.

 

NRCS to Exhibit on the National Mall
NRCS will participate in Public Service Recognition Week activities to be held on the National Mall, May 5-7, 2008.  The event, celebrated during May since 1985, is a yearly opportunity to recognize the good work of public servants and to honor the men and women who serve America as Federal, State and local government employees.
 

It's National Volunteer Week!
The NRCS Earth Team Program, created in 1985, offers many types of opportunities to anyone over 14 years of age who is interested in volunteering to make a positive difference for the Nation’s natural resources.  Earth Team volunteers help NRCS conservationists provide everything from conservation technical assistance to teaching and generating awareness about conservation through the use of community projects. 

Links...
The President's 2008 National Volunteer Week Proclamation
NRCS Earth Team volunteer Website

New Air Quality Practice Standards Under Review
The Air Quality and Atmospheric Change (AQAC) National Technology Development Team at the West National Technology Support Center and the NRCS AQAC Practice Standards Working Group have developed four new Conservation Practice Standards that are in Agency review, Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces, Stationary Engine Replacement/Upgrade, Precision Pest Control Application, and Airflow Filtration and Scrubbing.
 

Connecticut Soil Survey
This September 1967 photo depicts NRCS soil scientist Plater Campbell conducting a soil survey in Connecticut. (NRCS image no. CN-576-8 — click to enlarge). 

NRCS This Week features a weekly historical photo and caption.  NHQ, districts, States, RC&D councils, and all other NRCS entities are invited to submit a historical photo of activities or individuals who have worked or are working for the agency along with a caption. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer,