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Small farm near Ames, Iowa (Agricultural Research Service photo by Scott Bauer-- click to enlarge)NRCS This Week mast head

The Natural Resources Conservation Service — Helping People Help the Land.

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Illinois

particpants at the 27th Annual Central States Forest Soils WorkshopIllinois Hosts Mega-Forestry Tour
Nearly 200 soil scientists, foresters, a dozen-odd soil conservationists, biologists, engineers, and graduate students from eight Midwestern States recently gathered in Carbondale, Illinois, for the 27th Annual Central States Forest Soils Workshop that focused on forest productivity with an emphasis on white oak across southern Illinois.


 
Iowa


 Boeck's 80 acres of priceless wildlife habitat (NRCS photo -- click to enlarge)Conservation Partners Help Boeck Fix ‘Ugly Mess’  Adobe Acrobat Document (Requires Adobe Acrobat.)
Nearly two decades after purchasing what he calls “an ugly mess,” Bob Boeck of rural Black Hawk County is finally getting his money’s worth. With assistance from three conservation partners — the NRCS, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Pheasants Forever — Boeck has 80 acres of priceless wildlife habitat.
 


 
Maine


(from left) Maine NRCS State Conservationist Joyce Swartzendruber, National Trust Advisor Jim Day, Friends of the Shakers Board Member Jim Gelbort, NRCS Conservation Improvement Programs Branch Chief Gus Jordan; Executive Director New England Forestry Foundation Lynn Lyford, Former Executive Director, Maine Preservation Roxanne Eflin, Maine Preservation Board Trustee Arron Sturgis, National Trust Advisor Ed Hobler, and The Trust for Public Land Regional Director of Marketing and Communications Brian MadsonMaine Farm Preservation Receives National Award
The Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, Forest, and Farm in New Gloucester, Maine, recently received a prestigious National Preservation Honor Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  The project is one of 21 national award winners the National Trust for Historic Preservation honored during its week-long 2007 National Preservation Conference in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

 
National

soil survey report for The Scott County Area, TennesseeSoil Survey Report  Adobe Acrobat Document (Requires Adobe Acrobat.)
Check out these recently published soil survey reports for The Scott County Area, Tennessee; Marquette County, Michigan; Hardin County, Texas; Suwannee County, Florida; Yosemite National Park, California; and Greenbrier County, West Virginia.
 

 

 

Connect to NRCS' State News, Newsroom, and News Releases!

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Chief Lancaster Talks About CSP
 Chief Arlen Lancaster reports that nearly $257 million in Conservation Security Program (CSP) payments are being readied for all 19,393 contracts with eligible landowners and producers and NRCS anticipates the next CSP signup will take place in early 2008 in the 51 eligible watersheds announced in September 2006.

NRCS 2007 American Indian Heritage Month Poster is entitled, "We are One Family Dedicated to Protecting Mother Earth” (NRCS image -- click to enlarge)November is American Indian Heritage Month
In 1986, President Reagan designated November 23-30 as "American Indian Week."  Four years later, President Bush proclaimed the first National American Indian Heritage Month. Each year since, U.S. Presidents have proclaimed November as "American Indian Heritage Month."

The NRCS 2007 American Indian Heritage Month Poster is entitled, We are One Family Dedicated to Protecting Mother Earth.  The artist captures the image of a Care Taker who represents American Indians and all populations as the stewards of the land.  The message is clear; we are all Care Takers who are in charge of protecting and preserving the gifts of Mother Earth — water, air, wildlife, and land.  The artist is LaDon Smith, a member of the Choctaw Nation, Boswell, Oklahoma.

Links...
 Read the President's 2007 National American Indian Heritage Month Proclamation.

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Revised Chapter Four of National Range and Pasture Handbook Released
The National Range and Pasture Handbook (NRPH), along with other NRCS technical and policy guidance manuals and handbooks, contains information to help NRCS conservationists provide technical assistance for all phases of the conservation planning and application process.  Chapter four of the NRPH was recently revised to incorporate current rangeland assessment methodology found in version four of Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health.

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EAC student Robert Gabittas looks over Dave Henson’s shoulder at a water quality reading near Honeymoon on Upper Eagle Creek (EAC photo -- click to enlarge)Arizona Earth Team Volunteers Battle Invasives
Learn about Eastern Arizona College ecology instructor Dave Henson and his students/NRCS Earth Team Volunteers on-going efforts toward the eradication of the invasive Sweet Resin Bush from Frye Mesa.

 

 

 

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NRCS Directives For the Week of November 4, 2007
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Joe D. Nichols stands next to a circa 60's truck with a hydraulic soil probe (NRCS photo -- click to enlarge)Joe D. Nichols
NRCS conservationist Joe D. Nichols stands next to a circa 60's truck equipped with a hydraulic soil probe (NRCS photo -- 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. 
 

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