It’s often assumed that what’s good for wildlife is bad for agriculture, but that needn’t be the case. Nebraska’s conservation partners work together to ensure that agriculture producers across the state have an opportunity to consider projects or programs that benefit their operation while also making a place for wildlife.
Conservation programs that include annual payments can make the income from marginal acres more consistent and predictable. Programs such as the NRCS’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Program and other conservation easements not only provide a current financial incentive, but insure that your vision for land use is protected into the future.
Functioning wetlands provide a variety of benefits. They can improve the quality and quantity of groundwater. At times of heavy precipitation, they can capture runoff and reduce flood damage. When integrated into a diversified agriculture operation, they provide high-quality forage for cattle.
Healthy, diverse grasslands – with forbs that bloom from spring through fall – promote the health of pollinator populations that benefit agricultural production.
Removal of invasive or unwanted trees improves productivity of grazing lands. In crop fields, management of trees at the field’s edge can improve crop yield by reducing shade.
