Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Report To

Papio-Missouri River NRD Board

May 13, 2010

Neil Jensen, District Conservationist

EQIP Update

NRCS has received an additional allocation of $226,000 for conservation work in the district. Current EQIP contracts total $384,394.

Contracts cover a variety of practices, including:

·  Terraces with underground outlets

·  No-till farming

·  Cross fences, watering facilities and brush management

·  Agricultural Waste System

·  High Tunnels

USDA Urges Landowners to Sign-Up Now for Conservation Stewardship Program

Landowners nationwide have until June 11, 2010to apply for the next ranking and funding period for the Conservation Stewardship Program.

CSP offers payments to producers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and who agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship. Eligible lands include cropland, pastureland, rangeland and non-industrial forestland.

Potential applicants are encouraged to use the CSP self-screening checklist to determine if the new program is suitable for their operation. The checklist highlights basic information about CSP eligibility requirements, contract obligations and potential payments. Contact your local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service office to get a copy. The checklist will soon be available on the NRCS Web site.

Access to soil survey information is provided through maps. All text and tables relate to the map symbols and the areas delineated on these maps. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of soil survey information should contact the NRCS at the USDA Service Center that services the county of interest. See also the NRCS Accessibility Statement.

Animal Enhancement Activity – Wildlife Corridors

Enhancement Description

Wildlife corridors are linear strips of vegetation that connect 2 or more patches of suitable wildlife habitat. Participants will establish vegetative corridors as described below.

Benefits

Corridors connect habitats providing additional life requisites (e.g., feeding, nesting, roosting, escape cover, etc.) as well as interaction among local populations for reproduction or other social behaviors. Fragmentation of habitat with resultant loss of connectivity threatens the continued existence of fish and wildlife populations.

Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS.

Gardening with Natural Rainfall Workshop to be Held in Norfolk

The Lifelong Learning Center in Norfolk will be the site of the Gardening with Natural Rainfall Workshop on May 19th. The session runs from 9 AM to 4 PM. This workshop is hosted by PrairieLand RC&D, the Nebraska Environmental Trust, Bluebird Nursery, Northeast Community College, Nebraska Master Gardener, Nebraska UNL Extension and NRCS. For more information please call the PrairieLand RC&D at 402-454-2026.

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USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.