Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS)

The Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) works through local Conservation Districts to provide conservation planning and technical assistance to landowners and local units of government in dealing with their natural resource management concerns.  In providing forestry planning and technical assistance, the agency works in cooperation with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Division of Forestry. Advising landowners about windbreaks and Shelterbelts is also part of its forestry responsibility.

NRCS has staff in nearly every county. The local staff is supported by a state office staff of specialists in agronomy, biology, economics, engineering, forestry, wildlife, geology, hydrology, range management, remote sensing/geographic information systems, soil mapping and interpretations, soil mechanics, and water quality.  These specialists can be called on to help address resource concerns regarding forestland.  Soil maps are available through most county offices.

The NRCS (formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  The local NRCS office in your county is listed under U.S. Government, Department of Agriculture in your phone book.

Montana NRCS State Office, Natural Resource Conservation Service

Natural Resource Area Directory

NRCS National PLANTS Database

Provides information on forest plants, plants used in conservation work and threatened and endangered plants.  The PLANTS database includes checklists, species abstracts, distributional data and plant photographs.  Plant characteristics and identification features are described by going to the Plant Database

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers through contracts up to a maximum term of ten years in length.  These contracts provide financial assistance to help plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns and for opportunities to improve soil, water, plant, animal, air and related resources on agricultural land and non-industrial private forestland. In addition, the purpose of EQIP is to help producers meet Federal, State, Tribal and local environmental regulations.  Owners of land in agricultural or forest production or persons who are engaged in livestock, agricultural or forest production on eligible land and that have a natural resource concern on the land may participate in EQIP. 

Conservation Districts

Conservation districts are local units of government organized under state law to assist local land users; provide for the conservation of Montana’s natural resources; and protect and promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the people of Montana.  Conservation districts issue 310 Permits, which are required for any activity that affects the bed or banks of a perennial stream.  Most conservation district offices are located at USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service offices.

Farm Service Agency (FSA)

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) assists landowners with financing through government cost-share programs that conserve forestland resources and ensure future productivity.  The FSA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) provides payments to eligible owners of nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) land in order to carry out emergency measures to restore land damaged by a natural disaster. Funding for EFRP is appropriated by Congress. FSA is also a source for aerial photos.

US Department of Agriculture - Farm Service Agency
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Updated 10/15/2025