Project Goals/Objectives: The project will be initiated with a thorough needs assessment where TWRI and RWFM will work with local conservation staff such as county extension agents currently hosting new landowner educational programs, USDA NRCS staff, and SWCD staff along with new landowners to gain insight on the information and resource needs to improve land management practices. Results from this needs assessment will inform the development of an educational manual. This manual will introduce new landowners to the principles of land management and conservation and guide them through processes such as setting goals and objectives of their newly acquired property, how to build a management plan to achieve the goals (including approaches to achieving goals, timelines, assessing natural resource conservation needs of the property, etc.) how to implement the plan (e.g. introduction of basic concepts such as calculating grazable acres, land management, water resource management, etc.) and resources to guide landowners on where to go for help. The manual will be made available through both online and print versions.
Project Location: Statewide delivery in areas with EPA-accepted watershed protection plans (WPPs) and areas with the WPP or I-Plan planning process underway.
Project Partners: TSSWCB, TWRI, RWFM
Total Costs: Federal $265,453; Non-Federal $176,969; Total $442,422
Project Workplan: 24-12