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Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP)

USDA’s Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) is a multi-agency effort led by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to quantify the effects of conservation practices across the nation’s working lands.

About the Conservation Effects Assessment Project

Through CEAP, USDA quantifies and reports on trends in conservation practices, and associated outcomes, over time. CEAP findings are used to guide conservation program development and support conservationists, agricultural producers, and partners in choosing the most effective conservation actions and making informed management decisions backed by data and science.

CEAP assessments are carried out at national, regional, and watershed scales for conservation efforts related to cropland, grazing land, wetlands, and wildlife.


Conservation Effects Assessment Project Assessments

CEAP provides assessments and associated conservation outcome insights for multiple land uses and conservation goals. These assessments empower a diversity of customers to evaluate conservation successes, identify potential improvements, and set targeted, measurable goals for the future.

You may access CEAP assessments for the following areas of focus. Click on each for additional information.


Conservation Effects Assessment Project Highlights

The below blogs, fact sheets, reports, and webinars represent recent resources and key findings released by CEAP. Visit this webpage frequently to see what's new, or browse by the above focus areas to find specific content for a given conservation scope.

Tool

Rangeland Brush Estimation Tool (RaBET)

RaBET is an interactive, map-based tool developed by CEAP Grazing Lands to support rangeland conservation. This tool may be used by ranchers and other land managers to estimate woody plant canopy cover and assess woody encroachment on western rangelands.

Screengrab of the Rangeland Brush Estimation Tool (RaBET). This shows a map of the western United States, with data overlays.

Additional Resources


Contacts

Name Position Phone Number Email
Chris Lester
Acting Modeling Team Lead and Cropland Lead, Conservation Effects Assessment Project
Carrie-Ann Houdeshell
Grazing Land Lead, Conservation Effects Assessment Project
Joe Prenger
Wetland Lead, Conservation Effects Assessment Project
Charlie Rewa
Wildlife Lead, Conservation Effects Assessment Project
Lisa Duriancik
Watershed Lead, Conservation Effects Assessment Project