NRCS Conservation Practices and Materials
Conasauga River Aquatic Species
The Conasauga River teems with biodiversity. The river in southern Tennessee and northern Georgia is known for its exceptional mussel, snail, crayfish and fish biodiversity. This river system supports 10 fish and mussel species that are federally listed as endangered or threatened and 20 other aquatic species that are either listed by the states or at-risk of federal listing. The holiday, bridled, and trispot darters are among those fish facing declines and at risk of being listed. Many of these species are imperiled because of sediment, nutrient and pesticide pollution. NRCS is working with private landowners in the Conasauga River watershed in both states to improve water quality to support the species’ recovery.
Colorado River Mussels
With about 95 percent of Texas under private ownership, private landowners have a tremendous opportunity to help mussels and other wildlife species through conservation. NRCS is working with private landowners in the Colorado River basin in Texas to improve water quality to support the species’ recovery.
Yazoo Darter
The Yazoo darter (Etheostoma raneyi) is a small fish that is found only in two watersheds – the Little Tallahatchie and Yocona River watersheds in northern Mississippi. In recent years, Yazoo darter populations have been on the decline, largely because of poor stream health and barriers in streams. To help reverse population declines, NRCS is working with private landowners in targeted areas to increase available habitat and improve water quality to support the species’ recovery.
Shorebirds of Louisiana Wetlands
Birds like the lesser yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes), buff-breasted sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis), stilt sandpiper (Calidris himantopus) and short-billed dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) use Louisiana’s wetlands as pit stops during their annual journeys south. Those birds use a variety of wetlands along the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico coast, and they’re good barometers of quality and abundance of wetland habitat. The loss or degradation of wetlands because of development, agriculture, subsidence and erosion impacts many wildlife species, and NRCS is working with Louisiana producers to make wildlife-friendly improvements on working lands.
Bog Turtle
The Bog Turtle Partner Website was funded for NRCS and its partners to collaborate in support of private landowners to implement Working Lands for Wildlife partnership.
Eastern Hellbender
The Eastern Hellbender Partner Website was funded for NRCS and its partners to collaborate in support of private landowners to implement Working Lands for Wildlife partnership.
Gopher Tortoise
The gopher tortoise is the only land tortoise native to the Southeast, living in longleaf pine savannahs of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
Louisiana Pine Snake
Considered to be one of the rarest snakes in North America, The Louisiana pine snake (Pituophis ruthveni) calls the lush Longleaf pine savannas of west Louisiana and east Texas home.
Monarch Butterflies
NRCS is working with America's farmers, ranchers, and forest managers on voluntary conservation efforts to combat the decline of monarchs on private lands by establishing new habitat and managing existing habitat for monarchs and pollinators.
Northern Bobwhite Quail
The Northern Bobwhite, Grasslands and Savannas Partner Website is for information sharing by technical experts within NRCS and among its partners.
Introducing Habitat Restoration for Black Duck
An intro video for landowners, farmers, and others to learn about ways to increase habitat for the American Black Duck in partnership with NRCS and the Delaware Conservation Partnership
American Black Duck Fact Sheet for Delaware Residents
The current fact sheet and applicable practices for the American Black Duck NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife Program in Delaware.
American Black Duck Fact Sheet for Eastern Shore Virginia Residents
The current fact sheet and applicable practices for the Working Lands for Wildlife Black Duck Program in Virginia.
Maryland Shallow Water Area Fact Sheet
The state of Maryland NRCS fact sheet for shallow water areas, a common practice used in creating or restoring habitat for waterfowl use
Maryland 314: Brush Management
This standard allows for the removal and management of woody plants including invasive and noxious plants. Using this standard will allow landowners with existing degraded wetlands or waterfowl shallow water areas to clean up the area and return it to early successional vegetation.
Maryland 338: Prescribed Burning
This practice is utilized as another method to control unwanted or invasive species, as well as promote early successional plant growth. Early successional moist soil plants are a vital dietary source for waterfowl and other wildlife species.
Maryland 356: Dike
This standard allows for the construction of an earthen berm to assist in controlling water levels for waterfowl management.
Maryland 587: Structure for Water Control
This standard allows for the installation of a water control structure to provide the manipulation of water levels. The ability to control water levels in a shallow water waterfowl impoundment can allow for proper moist soil management techniques.
Maryland 378: Pond
This standard allows for an area to impound water through excavation or an earthen embankment. For waterfowl, a pond standard consisting of shallow excavation and a berm of no more than 3 FT is suggested.
Maryland 657: Wetland Restoration
This standard consists of returning a wetland and its functions to a close representation of its original condition prior to being disturbed. It applies for areas with hydric soils that have been converted to non-wetland by filling, draining, or other hydrology changes.
