Natural Resources Conservation Service

Plant Materials Program

United States Department of Agriculture

Native Bamboos - Culturally Significant Plants for Conserving Natural Resources

Native bamboos, such as giant cane, once covered large areas of the eastern United States. Including giant cane in restoration projects benefits multiple natural resource concerns and restores historical landscapes.

Giant cane is one species of native bamboo that once covered large areas in the eastern US

Optimizing cover crop plantings in the Central Region

NRCS Plant Materials Centers in the Central Region recently completed studies comparing seeding dates and planting rates of cover crops to learn how to get the most out of their plantings in their areas.

Photo of cover crop seeding rate evaluation.

Happy Pollinator Week! BEE Friendly to Pollinators with Conservation Plants

NRCS Plant Materials Centers evaluate and release new plants to the public. Find out more about how our wildflowers and legumes benefit insect and pollinator populations and how you can help establish and protect pollinator habitat.

A planting in southern Wisconsin provides mid-season habitat for pollinators.

Evaluating Plant Materials to Slow the Spread of Wildfires in the West

Wildfires are a major problem in the Intermountain West, affecting thousands of acres of rangelands. Vegetative greenstrips are one tool to slow the spread of rangeland wildfires. Western Plant Materials Centers are evaluating native plant species to fill this niche.

The introduced shrub forage kochia (right) is a commonly used greenstrip species. Its potential for spread into native plant communities is cause for concern among ecologists.

Finding a better fava bean for cover cropping in western states

The Plant Materials Centers in California, Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona have teamed up to conduct a regional adaptation trial to identify better fava bean cover crops for western states.