NRCS Resource Stewardship Evaluation: A New Framework for Achieving Conservation Stewardship Goals, Landscape Resiliency and Sustainability.

The United States Department of Agriculture -  Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) is piloting the new Resource Stewardship Evaluation (RSE) tool and service, which provides farmers and ranchers with a roadmap to achieve their natural resources stewardship goals, landscape resiliency and sustainability.  The RSE tool is designed to improve planning efficiency and measure environmental benefits.  It is being developed with the expectation of farmers and ranchers receiving additional incentives for achieving a stewardship threshold.

The presentation includes a background discussion of the scientific underpinnings of the tool, current nationwide pilot activities, insights from the past two years, and a tool demonstration.  The focus of the presentation will be on the Stewardship Tool for Environmental Performance (STEP) component of the RSE tool which addresses water quality resource concerns including sediment, nitrogen, phosphorus and pesticide losses. There is potential to use this tool to improve water quality and environmental conservation.

Efforts to harmonize stewardship metrics with various large-scale industry partners and national sustainability groups will also be discussed.