Thomas Jefferson
Soil and Water Conservation District
Emily Nelson, Conservation Program Manager
Natural Resources Conservation ServiceKory Kirkland, District Conservationist
What is a Conservation
District/NRCS?• Formed in 1930s to create local influence (local
people, local decisions, local programs).
Five Program Areas
Focus: Water Quality Protection
Thomas Jefferson Soil & Water
Conservation District (TJSWCD)
Photo courtesy of NRCS
How are TJSWCD Easements different than others?
• Water quality
• Small acreages
acceptable
• The TJSWCD fills
the void
Easements
Erosion & Sediment Control• Provide site plan review for: UVA, Nelson County and
Louisa County, including shoreline protection at Lake Anna
• Inspections & Plan Review for the Town of Scottsville
• Four certified Combined Administrators on staff
Stormwater ManagementUrban BMPs (Virginia Conservation Assistance Program)
Photo: Nick Lapham, Sunnyside Farm, Rappahannock, VA
Rain Garden
Sand --- Soil --- Mulch--- Plants
Native plant species that are tolerant of
both wet and dry conditions
Agricultural Programs
Improve & protect water quality, conserve soil, and
promote wise use of all farm resources through
voluntary programs
Photo courtesy of NRCS
Agricultural Programs
Technical Assistance:
•
•Farm conservation
planning
•Conservation designs
•Agricultural
Stewardship Act 1996
Grazing Land ManagementFrom this …
To this …
Appropriate stocking rates
20 acres can hold:
• 8 horses
• 10 cows
•50 sheep or goats
Nutrient
Management Plans
Photos courtesy of NRCS
Cover Crops (nutrient
uptake, erosion control)
Nutrient Management
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
» All funding provided by Farm Bill
» Engaged in Agriculture or Forestry
» Range of cost-share from 50-100%
NRCS Conservation Programs
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
(CREP)– Goal of program to establish riparian buffers
– Land must be grazed or cropped (hay counts!)
– Fencing, Alternative Watering System, Buffer Planting
– Cost-share & Rental on buffer reimburses landowner 100%.
Photo courtesy of NRCS
Environmental Quality Incentives
Program (EQIP)•Projects prioritized and ranked against other
applications
•Points given for more comprehensive full
farm conservation work
•Target resource concerns related to:
•Cropland
•Animal Waste
•Forestry
•Grazing
•Wildlife
•Cost-share rates ranging from 50-90 %
Photo courtesy of NRCS
NRCS Conservation Programs
Wildlife Habitat Development/Maintenance (EQIP)
– Targeted at creating/maintaining wildlife habitat
» Early Successional
» Riparian Corridors
» Pollinator Habitat
– Technical advice
provided by Private Land
Game Biologist
Photo courtesy of NRCS
NRCS Conservation Programs
Easements
•Wetland Reserve Easements
•Creation/Restoration/Protection
Permanent or 30-Year Easement
• Agricultural Land Easements
•Protects working agricultural land
•Provides up to 50% fair market value
•Partners with Land Easement Holding
Organizations
Photo courtesy of NRCS
NRCS Conservation Programs