NRCS celebrates 70th anniversary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service has a lot to celebrate in 2005: This year marks the 70th anniversary of the agency and its continued commitment to conservation on private lands.

The anniversary’s theme, “A Partner in Conservation Since 1935,” reflects the agency’s mission—providing leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve natural resources and environment.

NRCS was created as the Soil Conservation Service within USDA on April 27, 1935 in response to the devastation of the Dust Bowl on the nation’s agricultural land. The agency’s primary mission then was to conserve soil on agricultural land. SCS became NRCS in 1994 to better reflect its expanded role of servicing other natural resources such as soil, water, air, plants, and animals on private and tribal lands.

“Our mission to conserve, maintain and improve our island’s natural resources is just as critical today, as it was in 1935 when the agency was commissioned,” said NRCS Pacific Basin director Larry Yamamoto.

Conservation practices carried out by island’s farmers, ranchers and other landowners in Guam, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia have improved the quality of life and built stronger rural communities.

Agency statistics have shown dramatic improvements in the Pacific Basin’s natural resources that have resulted from the use of NRCS conservation practices and participation in NRCS programs. Financial assistance is available for some programs.

For more information contact Scott Crockett, District Conservationist, Saipan Field Office at (670) 236-0888.

This year also celebrates the 20th anniversary of NRCS’ Earth Team Volunteer Program. The Earth Team Program, created in 1985, offers all types of opportunities to anyone over the age of 14 who is interested in volunteering and making a positive difference for the nation’s natural resources. Earth Team volunteers help NRCS conservationists provide everything from conservation technical assistance to teaching and generating awareness about conservation through community projects. In addition, Earth Team volunteers can work in NRCS offices providing clerical, computer and writing skills. “We at the NRCS are proud of the dedicated volunteers and employees who have committed their time and talents to conserving and protecting soil, water and wildlife for their community and everyone in it,” said Yamamoto.

To learn more about NRCS, and the programs and services they provide, visit their website at www.pb.nrcs.usda.gov or contact the Saipan Field Office. For more information on the NRCS Earth Team Volunteer Program, visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/volunteers/ or contact Antonette Tornito, NRCS Pacific Basin Earth Team Volunteer Coordinator, at (671) 472-7156. The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.