Iowa NRCS Publications

Iowa NRCS Publications Available Online

Attracting Iowa Wildlife - This 36-page brochure explains what habitats support Iowa wildlife on private lands.

Before & After (PDF, 9 MB) - A series of conservation projects with before and after images showing how Iowa NRCS and our conservation partners help private landowners address natural resource concerns on their land.

Better Wetlands

A Community Leader's Guide to Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention (PDF, 827 KB)
(PDF Only)

Web Version

Conservation Choices - Your Guide to 30 Conservation and Environmental Farming Practices

Conservation Compliance and your USDA Program Benefits (PDF, 3 MB)

en español/Spanish Version (PDF, 3 MB)

Conservation Strategies for Growing Communities - Urban Conservation Practices for Protecting and Enhancing Natural Resources (PDF, 2.2 MB)

Cover Crops: A Guide for Iowa Producers (PDF, 2.4 MB)

Cropland Conservation Practices (PDF, 659 KB)

CRP: Benefits of Grazing CRP for Recreational Landowners (PDF, 520 KB)
(PDF Only)

Web Version

CRP Land: It's In Your Hands (PDF, 1.8 MB)

(PDF Only)

Drainage Water Management (PDF, 1.8 MB)

Grassland Conservation Practices (PDF, 778 KB)

Go Organic - (2.6 MB) Information and Testimonials about the USDA's Organic Initiative through EQIP.

Growing Careers - (3.5 MB) Women of NRCS Sharing Their Stories

From the Ground Down: An Introduction to Iowa Soil Surveys (PDF, 3.2 MB)

Highway Guide of Iowa Soil Associations (PDF, 5.8 MB)

Improving Livest, Communities and the Environment Through Natural Resources Conservation

Improving Lives, Communities and the Environment Through Natural Resources Conservation

Hard Copies Available

Iowa Conservation Program Guide (PDF, 1.1 MB)

Web Version

(PDF Only)

LESA - Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (PDF, 133 KB)

Web Version

Lines on the Land (PDF, 13 MB)

Managing Iowa Acreages (PDF, 4.3 MB)

Web Version

Native Prairie: Establishment & Management of Native Prairie (PDF, 933 KB)

Web Version

Are You Ready? Take The No-Till Challenge (PDF, 2 MB)

Web Version

Open Feedlot Management - Best Options (PDF, 4 MB)

Pasture Conditioning Score Fact Sheet (PDF, 260 KB) - Answers what a pasture conditioning score is, when to conduct one and how it is used in the implementation of the Conservation Security Program (CSP).

(PDF Only)

Web Version

The Phosphorus Index: Iowa Job Sheet (PDF, 349 KB) - Learn about why the Phosphorus Index was created, who it was created for and why it was created and what it does.

(PDF Only)

Web Version

Pollinator Habitat: Iowa Job Sheet
(PDF, 1.8 MB)

(PDF Only)

Prescribed Burning: Iowa Job Sheet (PDF, 2.5 MB)

Preventing Soil Loss with Grassed Waterways (PDF, 3 MB)

Web Version

Profitable Pastures - A Guide to Grass, Grazing, and Good Management

Web Version Only

Protecting the Indiana Bat: An Endangered Species (PDF, 255 KB)
(PDF Only)

Web Version

Iowa Rain Garden Design and Installation Manual (PDF, 5.8 MB)

(PDF Only)

Restoring Iowa Wetlands (PDF, 11.2 MB) - A snapshot of Iowa's wetland types, benefits, restoration processes and programs for land users.

Web Version

Restoring and Managing Habitat for Reptiles and Amphibians (PDF Only)

Web Version

RUSLE2 - Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation 2 (PDF, 262 KB)

(PDF Only)

Web Version

Seeding Native Landscapes (PDF, 1 MB) - Establish native plants from seed for beautiful, low maintenance landscapes that provide a multitude of benefits for neighborhoods, acreages, businesses, parks, trails, and urban settings.
(PDF Only)

Web Version

Soil Conditioning Index Fact Sheet (PDF, 430 KB) - Answers what a soil conditioning index is, why it is important, and other uses.

Web Version

Soil quality: What you need to know to maintain productivity

Soil Quality Fact Sheet (2011) (PDF, 161 KB)
(PDF Only)

Step by Step: Your Guide to Applying for USDA Conservation Programs

Step by Step: Your Guide to Applying for Conservation Programs (PDF, 508 KB)

en Español (PDF)

Stream Solutions: A Landowner's Guide (PDF, 647 KB) - Provides environmentally beneficial, cost-effective alternatives to straightening a stream channel.

Web Version

Technical Service Providers (PDF, 533 KB) - Information for prospective TSPs, interested landowners and NRCS employees in Iowa.

(PDF Only)

Web Version

Threatened & Endangered Species: Iowa Animal ID Guide (PDF, 10 MB)

Updated August 2011

Tillage Pocket ID Guide (PDF, 6 MB)

Urban Conservation Fact Sheets (Web Version) - A set of six urban conservation practice fact sheets. Practices include: Low Impact Development (LID), Bioswales, Native Landscaping, Pervious Paving, Rain Gardens, and Soil Quality Restoration.