PALMER, ALASKA – The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alaska has launched a new training designed to help partner organizations better understand and leverage NRCS programs, staff, and resources. The in‑person seminar, Working Effectively with NRCS, equips partners with the knowledge and tools to collaborate more effectively on conservation planning and project implementation.

The training is tailored for Alaska-based organizations that work alongside NRCS, offering practical guidance on navigating the agency’s processes.

“Anyone who has worked with NRCS, whether as a producer or as a partner, knows that the agency has its own unique processes and requirements that govern how NRCS funds are administered,” said Jackie Kragel, Acting Assistant State Conservationist for Partnerships and lead organizer and presenter of the training. “This training was developed to fill a need in Alaska—to better prepare partners who are new to working with NRCS and give them the information and tools they need to determine if NRCS is a good fit for their objectives, and if so, how to successfully navigate our programs and services.”

Who Can Participate

Participants may include staff from Tribal Conservation Districts, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Tribal governments, Alaska Native village or regional corporations, land trusts, producer and farmer associations, federal and state agencies, and any other organizations interested in natural resources conservation and agriculture.

Training Topics

The course provides a grounding in NRCS roles, planning processes, and technical resources while emphasizing strong communication and effective partnerships. Attendees build practical skills to support successful collaboration with NRCS staff.

For example, the training covers the role and function of the State Technical Advisory Committee and Local Working Groups, which are directed by USDA policy to guide locally led decision making. It reviews the NRCS 9 steps of conservation planning and details the legal and policy considerations involved when using NRCS technical and financial assistance, such protecting privacy, wetlands and highly erodible land compliance, and cultural resources. 

“We are intentional about including discussions on how NRCS evaluates and consults on cultural resources and tribally significant properties in this training,” said NRCS State Archaeologist Jake Anders, a presenter for the training. “Doing so not only helps participants understand the regulatory processes we follow to incorporate this information into conservation contracts, but also reinforces NRCS’s recognition of the deep, enduring connections Indigenous Alaskan communities have to the lands, wildlife, and waters that have sustained them since time immemorial.”

The training also covers the role of certified planners, conservation practice standards, and job approval authority—all which are essential to seeing a project from start to finish within the NRCS Conservation Planning framework.

“Conservation Planning is the foundation of what we do as an agency,” said Josh Schrecengost, State Resource Conservationist and a presenter at the training. “We want to set our partners up for success by giving them a foundational knowledge of our planning process and technical guidelines, so they can make informed decisions about entering into programmatic or partnership agreements with NRCS.”

A dedicated portion of the course also addresses common misconceptions about NRCS services and limitations. 

“We encourage participants to ask lots of questions, and we also want to hear from them about their needs and concerns,” Jackie said. “Our goal is to create an inclusive space for anyone with an interest in working with NRCS to make connections and start having those initial conversations about what a partnership might look like.”

Past Trainings

NRCS hosted two inaugural trainings in September 2026 and plans to schedule additional offerings as opportunities arise. 

The first session was held  Sept. 1, 2026 in Sitka during the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society Alaska Regional Meeting. Fifteen participants attended, representing Tribal Conservation Districts, Tribal governments, Tribal corporations, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and non-governmental organizations.

The second training took place Sept. 25, 2026 at the NRCS State Office in Palmer, aligned with statewide training hosted by the Alaska Tribal Conservation District Network. Nine participants attended from Tribal organizations, land trusts, state forestry, the Alaska Farm Bureau, and Soil and Water Conservation Districts. 

For more information about the training or to inquire about future offerings, contact Jackie.Kragel@usda.gov.