Delivering SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Through the National Science and Technology Consortium

Science and Technology MISSION: Provide products and services to conservation planners Acquire, develop, and deliver technology in a timely manner

GOALS: Identify and meet field staff needs for scientific and technical information Deliver training and information to the field in a timely and efficient manner Respond to requests for information, research, and technology development from the field Provide scientific and technical support to program implementation

Priority Issues for the Science and Technology Consortium

A TRAINED FIELD STAFF TO PROVIDE EXPERT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND OTHERS

DROUGHT Water Supply Water Conservation Ground Water Decline

AGING WATERSHEDS Many of the 10,000 NRCS assisted dams are reaching their life expectance

ANIMAL WASTE MANAGEMENT 298,500 Animal Feeding Operations need assistance

FLOODS Flooding remains a major concern in many watersheds

Program Requirements New Technologies Customer Needs Science and Technology Begins in the Field

Centers and Institutes receive input, and support technical assistance activities at the state and regional level

Centers and Institutes also access, interpret and apply research information from... OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES LAND GRANT UNIVERSITIES OTHER COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

CENTERS… National Cartographic and Geospatial Center National Plant Data Center National Design and Soil Mechanics Center National Soil Survey Center National Water and Climate Center National Water Management Center National Agroforestry Center

INSTITUTES… Grazing Lands Technology Natural Resources Inventory and Analysis Social Sciences Soil Quality Watershed Science Wetland Science Wildlife Habitat Management

Grazing Lands Technology Institute Science-based, ecologically and economically sound technology that meets the needs of owners and managers of grazing lands.

Natural Resources Inventory and Analysis Institute Exists to improve NRCS ability to inventory, monitor and assess the status, conditions and trends of natural and related environmental resources.

National Cartographic and Geospatial Center The mapping and spatial data center for NRCS provides a variety of map products and services as well as serving as the center for the agencys resource data collection andanalysis.

Analyzes how social and economic aspects of human behavior can be applied to natural resource programs, policies and activities. Social Sciences Institute

Soil Quality Institute Assessment Land Management for Soil Quality Soil Biology ]Education, Outreach, Training

Develops and transfers appropriate technology in response to comprehensive watershed needs and environmental sustainability

Wetland Science Institute Develops, adapts, and disseminates the science and technology needed to protect and restore wetlands

Develops and disseminates technical materials that will assist NRCS field staff in working with their customers to create sound wildlife habitat.

National Plant Data Center Provides a focused effort to meet the plant information needs of the agency and its partners activities.

Using a database called PLANTS, plant data are defined, developed, quality controlled, maintained and disseminated to support conservation activities.

National Design, Construction, and Soil Mechanics Center Provides technical support for design, construction, operation, and rehabilitation of complex engineering projects.

National Soil Mechanics Center provides soil testing of samples submitted by the NRCS field personnel

National Soil Survey Center Provides technical leadership and coordination to soils programs, with state-of- the-art soil survey technology, standards, data and expertise

[Soil Surveys and Maps [Soil Science Educational Materials [Soils Information and Data [Soil Geography [Soil Use and Management [Research and Investigations National Soil Survey Products and Activities:

National Water and Climate Center Data and Technology Acquisition and Transfer Climate Data Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Agronomic and Chemical environmental engineering Soil moisture/temperature Water quality and quantity sciences

National Water Management Center Provides direct technical assistance to state specialists regarding water-related issues to help implement conservation activities.

National Water Management Center Provides Direct assistance to states in planning and application Rehabilitation of aging watershed structures NPS pollution Agricultural waste management CNMPs Agricultural water projects Irrigation water management Ground water management Peer review for watershed planning efforts Environmental compliance of water-related programs Streambank and wetland restoration Hydrology, hydraulic, and economic evaluations

NATIONAL AGROFORESTRY CENTER A partnership between the Forest Service and NRCS that conducts research on forested buffers, and develops and delivers technology on agroforestry practices.

PLANT MATERIALS CENTERS Develop improved plants and plant technology for natural resource conservation. Native plants are promoted as a healthy way to solve conservation problems.

Science & Technology WEB SITE More information on the Science and Technology Consortium can be found on the web site at: