Dig deeper into what NRCS has to offer farmers, forest land owners, and communities in the Bay State.
About NRCS in Massachusetts
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is a federal agency that works hand-in-hand with the people of Massachusetts and the commonwealth's 14 conservation districts to improve and protect their soil, water and other natural resources. We employ conservation experts who help landowners develop conservation plans, create and restore wetlands, restore and manage other natural ecosystems as well as advise on stormwater remediation, nutrient and animal waste management and watershed planning.
There are seven NRCS field offices in Massachusetts: Greenfield (serving Franklin County), Hadley (serving Hampden and Hampshire counties), Holden (serving Worcester County), Pittsfield (serving Berkshire County), Wareham (serving Bristol, Norfolk and Plymouth counties), Westford (serving Essex, Middlesex and Suffolk counties), and West Yarmouth (serving Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket counties).
More Programs in Massachusetts
Emergency Watershed Protection Program - Massachusetts
The Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program, a federal emergency recovery program, helps local communities recover after a natural disaster strikes.
The EWP Program offers technical and financial assistance to help local communities relieve imminent threats to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms and other natural disasters that impair a watershed.
Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations - Massachusetts
The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention (WFPO) Program helps units of federal, state, local and federally recognized tribal governments (project sponsors) protect and restore watersheds.
The Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program provides technical and financial assistance to states, local governments and tribes (project sponsors) to plan and implement authorized watershed project plans for soil conservation; flood prevention; conservation, development, utilization and disposal of water; and conservation and proper utilization of land.
Watershed Rehabilitation Program - Massachusetts
The Watershed Rehabilitation Program (REHAB) helps project sponsors rehabilitate aging dams that are reaching the end of their design life and/or no longer meet federal or state safety criteria or performance standards. Since 1948, NRCS has assisted local sponsors in constructing over 11,850 dams.
Although the dams are still structurally sound and do not pose an imminent threat to public safety, today's increased land development has generated higher amounts of runoff than the dams were originally designed to handle. Upgrading the dams will not only provide better flood protection, but will also maintain wetland and wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation such as nature and hiking trails. DCR and NRCS monitor the dams annually and after significant storms to ensure the safety of surrounding communities.
Learn more about the Watershed Rehabilitation Program in Massachusetts...
Massachusetts Projects and Initiatives
Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project
The Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project is a watershed-wide effort to restore fish passages, remediate stormwater runoff to protect shellfish beds and restore degraded salt marshes.
Massachusetts Success Stories
Read stories of Massachusetts farmers and forest land owners working with NRCS and our partners to protect the nation's soil, water, animals, plants and air. We hope that through these stories, you'll understand how NRCS is helping people help the land every day in the Bay State.