National Leadership Review for the Caribbean Area

Associate Chief Dana York with NHQ review team in Puerto Rico (NRCS image -- click to enlarge) NRCS NHQ review team joins up with Chief Lancaster (2nd row fifth from left) and USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Gary Mast (3rd row sixth from left -- NRCS image -- click to enlarge)

An NRCS National Leadership Review Team capped-off their review of the Caribbean Area by joining Chief Arlen Lancaster, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Gary Mast, National Association of Conservation Districts CEO Krysta Harden, local NRCS employees, and other federal and State agencies to celebrate the signing of a local partnership agreement to manage resource concerns in the Jobos Bay Special Emphasis Watershed Conservation Effects Assessment Project.

The NRCS National Leadership Review Team was visiting the Caribbean Area for a three-day evaluation. Participating in the review were Associate Chief and team leader Dana York, Chief of Staff Dan Whiting, Deputy Chief for Strategic Planning and Accountability Leonard Jordan, Deputy Chief for Management Katherine Gugulis, Deputy Chief for Programs Tom Christensen, Deputy Chief for Science and Technology William Puckett, Deputy Chief for Soil Survey and Resource Assessment Wayne Maresch, and Regional Assistant Chief – East Richard Coombe.

The team, concentrating their review in Puerto Rico, talked to employees from the Mayaguez, Juana Diaz, and Arecibo field offices about their jobs and what NRCS leadership could do to improve their day-to-day working conditions. Dana York stressed that there were no right or wrong answers; she conducted the review as a three-way exchange of information between employees and area and NHQ leadership. “This review was an excellent experience for both NHQ leadership and the Caribbean Area Staff,” said Martinez, “It was a great educational opportunity for the national leadership regarding NRCS programs in the Caribbean Area and for the local NRCS staff, the opportunity to visit and share with leadership their experiences, challenges, and issues”.

Throughout two days of field visits the review team viewed EQIP and CSP practices and enhancements implemented at several farms and dairies. They met with local landowners, district employees, RC&D members, and volunteers to complete their review and enjoyed some wonderful scenery as well.

Puerto Rico is a diverse area with five general soil types -- humid coastal plains, semiarid coastal plains, humid uplands, semiarid uplands, and humid upland valleys.  It has three main physiographic regions -- the mountainous interior, the coastal lowlands, and the karst area. These regions include rain forests, deserts, beaches, caves, oceans, and rivers.  Much of the farming, including coffee, citrus, bananas and plantains, is conducted on highly erodible hills and mountainous regions.  It also has sensitive coastal ecosystems, habitats, and coral reefs.
Your contact is NRCS public affairs specialist Gail Hendricks at 352-338-9560.