Fundamentals of Conservation Planning
Introduction
This information was originally provided to district staff who registered and attended the Fundamentals of Conservation Planning Training at the University of Mount Olive in May 2023.
These materials are useful to all district conservationists, particularly those with less than 5 years of experience. Please review the materials below and complete the accompanying worksheets and activities for each section to make the most of these resources.
The additional tabs on this website contain material and information form the training course at Mount Olive.
The FCP Course Materials tab contains the materials presented and discussed during the training.
The Administrative Materials tab contains pictures, attendance certificates and other non-technical materials relevant to attendees.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the materials, please contact Josh Vetter.
Soil and Water Conservation Background
Watch the short documentary on soil conservation pioneer Hugh Hammond Bennett, the history of NRCS and soil and water conservation districts and the birth of the private lands’ conservation movement in the U.S. This video will provide a background as to why the Division and Districts exist in North Carolina.
Soil and Water Conservation Background.pdfIntroduction to Conservation Planning
Conservation planning is at the heart of the Commission’s conservation programs. We must become strong conservation planners to best serve the cooperators we work for and best use public funds to improve the soil and water of North Carolina.
Read the Conservation Planning document, review the 9 steps to conservation planning and watch the three short videos to better understand the process of conservation planning and its importance in continuing the conservation success of soil and water conservation districts and partnering organizations.
NCPP_Conservation_Planning_Intro.pdf
Introduction to Conservation Planning.pdfWorking with Landowners
The SWCC’s conservation programs are completely voluntary and are most often implemented by working with private landowners. Read the three articles on working with private landowners and view the four videos below.
WorkingEffectivelyWithPrivateLandowners.pdfThe_Adoption_Diffusion_of_Conservation_Technologies.pdfLearningfrommyMistakes.pdfWorking Effectively with Private Landowners.pdfWorking with Landowners ‐ General Questions.pdfLearning from my Mistakes.pdfIntroduction to Resource Concerns
Resource concerns are at the heart of conservation. We work with cooperators to solve these issues, which will ultimately conserve soil and water. Watch the video and read the two documents on common cropland soil and water resource concerns.
SOIL-RCFactSheets.pdfWATER-RCFactSheets.pdfNRCS_ResourceConcerns_Jan2020.pdfIntroduction to Resource Concerns.pdfIntroduction to Best Management Practices
Best Management Practices (BMPs) are used as a possible solution to resource concerns. The Soil and Water Conservation Commission as well as the Natural Resources Conservation Service have developed many BMPs that are available to assist cooperators meet their goals and conserve soil and water resources. The videos below introduce you to some of the more common cropland BMPs.
Conservation Crop Rotation
Cover Crops
Critical Area Planting
Diversion
Field Borders
Grassed Waterway
Residue and Tillage Mgmt.
Precision Land forming
Introduction to Best Management Practices_PDF.pdfIntroduction to RUSLE2 (optional)
These videos are optional. Please make note that there are 10 videos in total (4 with Part 1 and 6 with Part 2). The Fundamentals of Conservation Planning course will briefly cover an introduction to RUSLE2 and its importance for conservation planning. It is recommended that these videos are watched prior to the training as they provide a deeper understanding of the tool in preparation for the training.
RUSLE2 Background, Part 1 (4 videos)
RUSLE2 Background, Part 2 (6 videos)