In mid-February, I traveled to Castroville, Texas—just west of San Antonio—for a three-day conservation planning training hosted by the National Conservation Planning Partnership (NCPP) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Held on a working farm, the training brought together a diverse group of professionals working toward NRCS Conservation Planner Level 2 and 3 certifications. We also benefited from mentorship by experienced educators who have worked in conservation planning for decades. These certifications prepare professionals to help farmers, ranchers, and land managers develop comprehensive, voluntary conservation plans.
The foundation of this work traces back about 90 years to soil scientist Hugh Hammond Bennett, who established the conservation planning framework that still guides NRCS today. His approach emphasized the importance of walking the land with clients, observing natural resource conditions firsthand, and recognizing the interconnected nature of soil, water, plants, animals, and human activity. Effective planning considers each acre’s capabilities, the producer’s resources and goals, and the land’s relationship to broader systems such as watersheds. Understanding conditions across the landscape is essential for making informed management decisions.
Before attending the in-person training, I completed prerequisite coursework for Level 1 certification and additional online training for Level 2. However, the most valuable learning came from field experience. Working directly with landowners, we discussed their operations and conservation goals while practicing soil assessment and data collection techniques. These interactions reinforced a key lesson often shared by certified planners: meaningful conservation planning depends on engaging with clients directly on the land they manage.
Through this hands-on process, we applied the three phases of conservation planning: identifying resource concerns, developing and evaluating solutions, and assessing the effectiveness of implemented practices. This process is iterative, allowing planners to revisit and refine each phase as new information emerges.
Completing this training brings me one step closer to becoming a certified Level 2 Conservation Planner and prepares me for Level 3 certification, where I will develop a Resource Management System that identifies and recommends solutions for all resource concerns on a property or operation. I look forward to continuing my work with NRCS partners and applying these lessons to support conservation efforts across Contra Costa County and to whatever lands my career may take me.
