The Natural Resources Conservation Service

The mission of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is "Helping People Help the Land."

The NRCS Vision: "Productive Lands--Healthy Environment."

The National Water and Climate Center

Our Mission is "To lead the development and transfer of water and climate information and technology which support natural resource conservation."

With a Vision of the future as "A globally recognized source for a top quality spatial snow, water, climate, and hydrologic network of information and technology."

The Functions of the National Water and Climate Center are:

• Natural Resource Planning Support

  • Assess the effectiveness of applied technology and support activities in relation to meeting customer needs
  • Provide water supply forecasts
  • Provide water and climate analysis, information, and services for NRCS, partners and customers
  • Provide concepts and technical input for policy development and the legislative process
  • Provide emergency support to customers in response to extreme natural resource events
  • Provide water quality and quantity expertise in support of farmstead, field level, watershed, and river basin evaluations
   

• Data Acquisition and Management

  • Operate the Snowpack Telemetry (SNOTEL) data collection system for the United States and Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN)
  • Acquire, enhance, and manage specific data sets to support the resource planning for all resource areas including Soil, Water, Air, Plants, Animals and Human
  • Design and manage an on-line, quality controlled, national database for NRCS and partners in support of farm, watershed and river basin scale planning
  • Coordinate with other entities to develop procedures for integration of information from plant, animal, soil, water quality, and pesticide databases
   

• Technology Innovation

  • Identify and anticipate priority needs to support the Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) and customer requirements
  • Assess and select technologies required to address resource concerns
  • Adapt appropriate technologies
  • Facilitate new technology development
  • Maintain inventory of available and developing technologies
   

• Partnerships and Joint Ventures

  • Cooperatively fund and develop new technology
  • Establish and maintain joint strategic databases
  • Share existing technology to meet user needs
  • Develop cooperative support for technology transfer and implementation
  • Partner with NRCS offices and other organizations for natural resource planning support
  • Evaluate feedback from partners to improve effectiveness
   

• Technology Transfer

  • Release new technology through means appropriate to customer needs
  • Assist in training related to technological releases
  • Market and promote new technology
  • Provide expertise to support new technology
  • Ensure that technology transfer meets customer needs and expectations