Cooperative Conservation at Work in South Carolina

(from left) South Carolina State Forester Gene Kodama and NRCS State Conservationist Niles Glasgow sign a memorandum of understanding (NRCS image -- click to enlarge) South Carolina Cooperative Conservation logo (click on logos to visit partners' websites)

NRCS and the South Carolina Forestry Commission entered into an agreement to provide increased assistance to forest landowners.  “This partnership will help promote forest management, advance conservation on forestlands, and improve delivery of technical assistance to private landowners in the State,” said South Carolina NRCS State Conservationist Niles Glasgow.

This is the first formal agreement between the federal agency and the State agency.  Staffs from both agencies have worked together at the local level for many years.  This agreement recognizes this cooperation and lays the groundwork for more detailed agreements to share staff and financial resources.

Glasgow noted that, "NRCS administers many federal programs that can benefit forest landowners.  Under these programs, the agency provides technical assistance as well as financial incentive payments.”  NRCS and the Forestry Commission can assist landowners with activities including establishing riparian buffers, prescribed burning on existing pine stands, planting hardwood and softwood trees, including longleaf pines, and applying conservation practices to stabilize logging roads and other forest harvest sites.

"This agreement will strengthen the relationship between the Forestry Commission and NRCS and promote a more efficient cooperation when it comes to providing technical assistance, information, training, and educational opportunities,” State Forester Gene Kodama said.
Your contact is South Carolina NRCS public affairs specialist Amy O. Maxwell at 803-765-5402.