USDA-NRCS Presents Fort Jackson with Conservation Achievement Award

COLUMBIA, SC—October 29, 2003 USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Walter W. Douglas presented a Conservation Achievement Award to Fort Jackson Garrison Commander Colonel Brent Johnson on October 29, 2003. The award was presented to Jackson for implementation of a total resource management plan that prevented and healed erosion on training grounds, as well as improved forest resources and wildlife habitat.

NRCS and Jackson signed a working agreement in 1991 that resulted in the rehabilitation of over 100 eroded sites, improvement of nearly 5,300 acres of Red-cockaded Woodpecker habitat, and planting of nearly 7,500 acres of longleaf pine. “The close working partnership between Fort Jackson’s Environmental and Natural Resource Division and NRCS was essential in getting conservation on the ground and making a difference in soil and water resources,” said .“ Fort Jackson has illustrated a strong conservation ethic through their dedication of staff, resources, and energy to protecting natural resources for both their troops safety and for the improvement of soil, water, forestry, and wildlife resources,” said Douglas .

The restoration work means safer training areas for troops and a comeback of the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker. The landscape at Fort Jackson is characterized by sandy soils, and with continuous use by troops, vegetation wears thin, and storm water runoff shifts, causing the soil to become unstable. A number of techniques were used to stabilize roads and repair eroded training sitess. Nearly $400,000 annually is spent on conservation efforts at Fort Jackson.

NRCS and Fort Jackson will continue their working agreement to repair additional sites at the army installation which consist of a total of 52,000 acres and trains over 40,000 soldiers a year.

For more information, contact NRCS District Conservationist Jim Wilson at (803) 576-2084.

USDA-NRCS is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         

Contact:             
Amy O. Maxwell
(803) 765-5402
amy.maxwell@sc.usda.gov