When providing assistance, NRCS focuses on the sound use and management of soil, water, air, plant and animal resources. NRCS helps clients manage their resources in a way that prevents resource degradation, ensures sustainability, allows for productivity and respects the client’s needs. Conservation planning can make improvements to livestock operations, crop production, soil quality, water quality, hayland, forestland and wildlife habitats. The process also integrates ecological and economic considerations in order to address private and public concerns.
The success of conservation planning depends upon the voluntary participation of clients. The planning process used by NRCS is based on the premise that clients will make and implement sound decisions if they understand their resources, natural resource problems and opportunities as well as the effects of their decisions.