The programs managed by the Natrona County Conservation District are focused on the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources: soil, water, land, trees, forest land, grass land, range land, wildlife and wildlife habitat. While many of the programs specifically address rural landowners, other programs offer urban residents education, outreach services and assistance to reduce the human impacts on these natural resources.
Water quality throughout the Natrona County portion of the North Platte watershed is a primary focus of NCCD. Working in coordination with Natural Resources Conservation Service and Natrona County, NCCD is the lead agency for implementation of the Watershed Management Plan, including Best Management Practices (BMPs) for non-point source water pollution control. Through plan implementation, NCCD provides:
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Assistance to small acreage landowners and subdivision developers to ensure optimum water uses, and techniques to minimize the potential for surface and groundwater pollution from waste water, soil erosion and livestock.
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Education to farmers, ranchers and urban-area homeowners on efficient irrigation and water conservation practices, and the harmful effects of rural and urban irrigation water runoff.
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Countywide education and outreach to reduce storm water runoff through landscape design, conservation gardening, rain gardens and rain barrels, composting, native plant and tree selections.
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Bi-monthly water sampling to identify selenium migration in the Kendrick watershed and a partner on the Inter-Agency Committee for the North Platte River TMDL project.
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In coordination with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, assists creek-side landowners with stream restoration and erosion control techniques and best practices.
NCCD works closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, Natrona County Weed & Pest, the University of Wyoming and others, to implement rangeland management best practices, through the following initiatives:
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Promote the preservation and development of healthy wildlife habitat on private and public lands through the planting and maintenance of native trees, shrubs and grasses; and the establishment of alternative water sources for open range livestock.
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Coordinate with county partners to control prairie dog populations, and assist with land restoration through the reseeding of native vegetation, pest and weed control. At the end of 2010, approximately 40,000 acres have been treated/retreated.
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Monitor and preserve rangeland quality and quantity; track, document and make recommendations on the impacts of urbanization and exurban sprawl on agriculture lands.
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Support private landowner rights, and the preservation and multiple use of public lands.
