Conservation Photos

The following is a collection of photos depicting a few of the various conservation practices that landowners have installed to help maintain good quality water for drinking, recreation and fish and wildlife; ensure healthy soil to grow food for people and livestock; and keep the air clean. These benefits help people, economy, wildlife and the environment.

Soil Erosion Control

 

Field windbreaks reduce wind erosion by slowing the wind down. Rows of trees planted next to cropland protects the crops and soil from wind damage. Sometimes the trees are planted in weed barrier fabric to lessen the competition for moisture from weeds.

 

 

 

 

Terraces slow erosion from both wind and water. They catch runoff water, let the water soak into the ground and deliver the excess to a stable outlet.

 

 

 

 

Planting grass is highly effective in stopping soil erosion. Proper management of the grass is important whether the ground cover of grass is for livestock grazing, hay, or wildlife habitat.

 

 

Freeze Proof Tanks and other livestock water supplies strategically placed in a pasture facilitate better grazing distribution, which protects vegetative cover.

 

 

 

Water Quality

 

 

Livestock waste treatment lagoon provides biological treatment of animal waste. The liquid waste is stored in the lagoon to be later applied to cropland.

 

 

 

On-Site wastewater system installation replaces an existing failing system, which is polluting ground water. The septic tank allows solids in the wastewater to separate out in the tank before the liquids enter the lateral field. The system provides a natural treatment of the contaminants.

 

 

Improvement of existing water wells is reconditioning of a domestic water well to prevent groundwater contamination.

 

 

 

Filter strip installed between cropland and a stream remove sediment and other pollutants from runoff before entering the water. Grass and trees planted alongside a stream also protect it from erosion.

 

 

 

Solar pump installation for a livestock water supply. This practice provides a dependable alternative water source for livestock that have typically watered from a stream.

 

 

 

Fencing adjacent to a stream to exclude livestock minimizes the impact of livestock on a stream.