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2005 Marks Milestones for NRCS

NRCS 70th Anniversary and Earth Team 20th Anniversary

MORGANTOWN WV, April 20, 2005—The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is celebrating in 2005. It marks the 70th anniversary of the agency and its continued commitment to conservation on private lands. It is also the 20th anniversary of the agency’s Earth Team, NRCS’ volunteer program in service to conservation. Both anniversaries reflect the agency’s long standing commitment to the nation’s natural resources and the people who volunteer on behalf of that commitment.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
NRCS was created as the Soil Conservation Service within USDA on April 27, 1935 in response to the devastation of the Dust Bowl. The agency’s primary mission then was to conserve soil on agricultural land. It changed its name to the Natural Resources Conservation Service in 1994 to reflect its expanded role of conserving other natural resources such as water, air, plants, and animals on private and tribal lands.

"The NRCS rich conservation legacy and ability to work cooperatively with conservation partners results in many benefits to West Virginia citizens” said West Virginia State Conservationist Ronald L Hilliard. Contributions in 2004 included:

  • Providing brief technical assistance to more than 5,000 West Virginians and more detailed technical assistance to nearly seven times that many people.
  • Serving Appalachia’s plant needs—the Plant Materials Center evaluates plants for their ability to solve specific conservation problems related to climate, the rugged topography, soil limitations, various land uses, fish and wildlife needs and desires of the landowners.
  • Providing soil survey information for the entire state of West Virginia. Updated mapping was completed on over 201,000 acres.
  • Improving 4,380 acres of farmland for northern bobwhite quail, cottontail rabbit and grassland nesting birds.
  • Completing 115 Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) projects with an estimated value of 4.3 million dollars.
  • Planning 316 acres of riparian buffers that provide wildlife habitat and reduce pollution.

For more information, please contact your local USDA Service Center, listed in the telephone book under U.S. Department of Agriculture, or your local conservation district. More information about the history of the NRCS is on the World Wide Web at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/seventiethannv.html.

Earth Team
The Earth Team Program, created in 1985, offers all types of opportunities to anyone over the age of 14 who is interested in volunteering and making a positive difference on the nation’s natural resources. In fiscal year 2004, more than 40,000 Earth Team volunteers nationally donated more than 950,000 hours to conservation.

The NRCS needs people who are willing to commit their time and talent to conserving and protecting soil, water, and wildlife. Go to http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/volunteers/ for more information on the Earth Team Program or contact Carol Lagodich at 304-284-4826 or carol.lagodich@wv.usda.gov.

Public Service Announcements
Clean air, fresh water and productive soils are essential for our well-being now and for future generations. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service helps people make this possible. Visit our web site at http://www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov/ to learn about programs and services offered by NRCS.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is helping local farmers control soil erosion and protect water quality on their land. For more information, call your local USDA Service Center, listed in the telephone book under U.S. Department of Agriculture or visit our web site at http://www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov/.

Why do we need to take care of our land? Because it produces most of our food and fiber, filters our water and helps clean our air. Visit USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s web site at http://www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov/ to find out how you can help.

Farmers work hard to protect our fertile lands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service offers assistance to reduce costs and to implement successful conservation practices. Visit our website at http://www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov/or call your local USDA Service Center, listed in the telephone book under U.S. Department of Agriculture to learn how NRCS can help you.

The Resource Conservation and Development Program works with local residents to carry out goals that increase conservation of natural resources and stimulate economic growth. Visit USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service website at http://www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov/ or call your local Resource Conservation and Development area to learn about available services to improve your community.

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