Ecosystem Management Publications

The following depicts NRCS documents that help convey an ecological approach to planning and conservation of natural resources. Documents are also available in PDF formats.

Action Plan - Providing Ecosystem-Based Assistance for the Management of Natural Resources
The Action Plan was completed in July of 1994 and describes the commitment of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to combine sound and proven fundamentals with ecosystem principles. The plan stresses five themes: The Commitment; Policy, Regulation, and Law; Technology; Measurement and Reporting; and Education.

FY-96 Summary of 12 EBA Pilot Projects in 10 States
The NRCS set up 12 pilot projects in 10 states. The FY-96 summary contains a brief synopsis for each of these projects. Within each project 10 specific issues are addressed, namely: 1) Location and Scope; 2) Vision; 3) Working Goal; 4) Health and Sustainability; 5) Economic and Community Development; 6) Priorities and Conflict Resolution; 7) Coordination; 8) Monitoring and Reporting; 9) Adaptive Management; and 10) Technology Transfer.

EBA Principles and Guidelines
This report identifies the principles and guidelines which NRCS will use to make Ecosystem-Based Assistance an efficient part of how the agency conducts its business.

An Ecosystem Approach to Conservation of Natural Resources
Text of a speech presented at the 50th annual meeting of the Soil & Water Conservation Society.

Ecosystem Indicators
Indicators are used to assess ecosystem processes and conditions. This report is very thorough.

EBA Staffing Action Team Report
This helpful report describes the desired skills, knowledge and abilities of the future NRCS field office in order to carry out ecosystem-based assistance on the farm, ranch, watershed, or other levels. The document may be useful to: design training sessions; develop recruitment efforts; influence college curriculum; set up new institutes or centers; show others how comprehensive the NRCS is; information for national employment; staffing; and help managers develop key job/skill needs.

Ecosystem-Based Assistance Communication Action Plan
This is a list of actions that could be taken to improve internal communications. The intent is to help NRCS employees understand what EBA means to them. The recommendations are being implemented as time and resources permit.

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