Transferring Technology a Center Mainstay

Established over a year ago, the NRCS West National Technology Support Center (WNTSC) in Portland, Oregon, has been busy assisting States in transferring technology to the field. Core discipline specialists have been working closely with conservationists in the States to improve the tools and practices available for field conservationists. Specialists from the national technology development teams have developed new tools for landowners and conservation professionals. Over the past year and a half, more than 595 formal assistance projects have been logged with still more instances of informal assistance.

Working with landowners, WNTSC specialists provide training and feedback as field professionals listen, observe, and try their hand at developing conservation plans and practices that are new and/or different in their particular situation. WNTSC specialists have also been very active in supporting State-based training efforts. Workshops and other training sessions have been held on a broad range of topics including stream restoration, wildlife habitat management, ecological site descriptions, RUSLE2, and environmental compliance. In addition, the Center has sponsored a number of training sessions including a series of workshops on how to develop State practice standards and a workshop on the NRCS Plant Materials Program.

Feedback from State employees and management on the training and technology transfer offered by the West NTSC has been very positive. For more information, contact a specialist at the WNTSC. Telephone numbers and e-mail addresses can be found on the WNTSC Web site. .
Your contact is Stacey Mitchell, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 503-273-2432.