Plants are common ingredients in many NRCS conservation practices. That’s because they hold soil in place, protect stream banks and shores, filter pollutants, offer food for livestock and cover for wildlife. They also heal the land after wildfire, floods and drought.
NRCS offers technical and financial assistance to help producers plan and implement conservation practices, many of which include plants. Depending on your operation, conservation systems with plants may help you meet your business and natural resource goals. You can explore further with the Conservation Concerns Tool on farmers.gov.
With many practices, NRCS encourages use of native plants are those that existed in the United States before the arrival of European settlers. Native plants have several advantages over introduced plants, including winter hardiness, pest resistance, and low maintenance needs. They also provide better forage for livestock and habitat for wildlife. Native plants are also non-invasive, and they pose no threat to native plant communities if they escape cultivation.
Examples of Conservation Practices with Plants
Additional Conservation at Work videos and conservation practice standards are available. If you’re interested in assistance with these practices, contact your local NRCS office.
Plant Materials Program
The NRCS Plant Materials Program selects conservation plants and develops innovative planting technology to address today's natural resource challenges and maintain healthy and productive farms.
PLANTS Database
The PLANTS Database provides standardized information about the vascular plants, mosses, liverworts, hornworts, and lichens of the United States and its territories.