An Introduction to Conservation Planning

By Erez Brandvain

The Washtenaw County Conservation District, in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers Conservation Planning for landowners. What is a Conservation Plan? A conservation Plan is a tool that evaluates landowners' historical decisions made to protect and enhance their natural resources while pursuing their land use objectives. Using this historical and current data, a Conservation Plan outlines future priorities of landowners and provides options for how to best go about meeting those goals. Upon completion, a Conservation Plan describes and schedules each of the conservation practices landowners have decided to apply to meet their future objectives and to solve identified natural resource concerns.

Conservation Planning dates back to 1947, when the “Father of Conservation” in the United States, Hugh Hammond Bennet, identified the principles of Conservation Planning in his writing, Elements of Soil Conservation. According to Bennet, an effective conservation plan must: 

• Consider the needs and capabilities of each acre within the plan;
• Consider the clients facilities, machinery, and economic situation;
• Incorporate the client’s willingness to try new practices;
• Consider the land’s relationship with the entire farm.

While science and technology has advanced, Conservation Planning is still true to its founding principles. Plans are meant to meet the landowner’s objectives while addressing one or more resource concerns. Plans can be multifaceted and may require components from Comprehensive Nutrient Plans, Grazing Plans, Integrated Pest Management Plans, Wildlife Management Plans, etc. If those plans are not yet developed, plan writers will develop them for you, depending on their qualifications. Conservation Plans are unique to each individual farm or tract of land.
 Every plan takes a systems approach to the operation by inventorying each individual aspect and developing systems for them to best work together. Plans are typically developed in a series of steps: 

• Identifying landowner objectives;
• Taking an assessment of current and historical farming practices;
• Identifying resource concerns;
• Developing a plan to meet landowner objectives, while addressing resource concerns.   
  
• Plans will outline options for potential funding through grants and NRCS programs such as EQIP, CSP, and other cost share opportunities. 

Ultimately, a Conservation Plan can lead to financial assistance from the NRCS and is an overall unique tool that is always relevant to landowners. Additional benefits are extensive and include: improving soil quality and plant production; weed control; addressing of environmental regulation issues; developing methods to protect soil and water quality, enhancing open space and wildlife habitat; maximizing water use efficiency, establishing record keeping systems;  and development of Nutrient, Grazing, Forest, Cropping, and Livestock Management Plans.

Planning is complex, dynamic and requires cooperation and communication between the planner and the landowner. The process brings forth opportunities and ideas not previously considered, and landowners are ultimately presented with a range of alternatives to address multiple resource concerns. 
​
The Washtenaw County Conservation District is now offering Conservation planning for County landowners and producers. Meeting with the Conservation Technician is free, and so is the development of the plan itself.  To get started on a Conservation Plan contact me at the WCCD (erez.brandvain@macd.org, 734. 302.8714) or the NRCS (734.761.6721, ext.3) to set up an appointment. Before a Conservation Plan can be completed, you will need to contact the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to establish a farm and tract number. Contact the FSA for more details (734.761.6721, ext. 2).  ​