Conservation Practices

Explore community science and how volunteers contribute to real research. Learn simple ways to get involved and make a meaningful impact in your local environment.

The Penn State Equine Pasture Evaluation Disc (EPED) can be used to document the concentration of weeds and desirable plants in pastures.

Growing Great Buffers is a series of short, helpful videos that describe step-by-step maintenance tasks needed for newly planted riparian buffers.

Due to the low levels of precipitation seen across region this spring, 7 Pennsylvania counties (Adams, Bedford, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Somerset, York) are eligible for USDA Natural Disaster assistance, as of April 23, 2026.

Build confidence in rebar inspection with practical guidance on verifying size, placement, and spacing, interpreting plans, identifying errors, and documenting field checks accurately.

Discover how stream health is measured through hands-on learning in flow, water quality, erosion, and sediment, with live demonstrations at a local stream site.

Explore natural land management with the Lancaster Conservancy at Tap Talks. Learn restoration strategies while enjoying local brews, food, and trivia. Free event; preregistration recommended.

A Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training article about grassed waterways.

Connect with over 200 conservation professionals at ACAP Ag Conservation Con to grow skills, share ideas, and advance agricultural conservation across Pennsylvania.

Learn to use aerial imagery, identify resource concerns on agricultural lands, and explore conservation BMPs with in-field technical assistance basics.

During the spring, when regular precipitation keeps soils moist, it is important to monitor your grazing to avoid soil compaction, which can reduce the productivity and environmental functions of your fields.

Learn the basics of farm equipment, including identification, use, and calibration, and how equipment supports conservation and best management practices across agricultural systems.

These videos provide basic information on high tunnel structures and pointers for their installation.

Learn low-impact outdoor ethics with Leave No Trace, gain practical skills to protect natural spaces, and earn a certificate to share stewardship with your community.

A grazing dairy in southeastern Pennsylvania meets summer forage needs with annual warm season mixtures planted in a continuous no-till system.

This video describes basic questions about hazards associated with manure pits located beneath solid and slatted floor dairy barns that incorporates manure storage.

Foolish Freddie demonstrates the proper approach to working in and around manure storages. Sensible steps that must be taken to assure safe entry and working conditions are shown in scale model manure storage.

A scale model is used to show risks of working in an empty manure pit without taking at least four simple precautions to ensure safe entry.

ACAP closes a critical funding gap for a whole-farm conservation project in Wayne County.

A challenge that beef and dairy producers manage through is mud, which deteriorates soil health in areas of heavy use. A heavy use area pad prevents soil erosion, creating more sustainability.

This three-part series identifies resources that can be used by new or experienced farmers to guide them through the risk management planning process.

Sacrifice areas are areas where livestock are kept during inclement weather, or to protect pastures from damage.

Thoughtful selection of streamside trees and shrubs can have the added bonus of producing fruit, nuts, berries, or woody florals for profit or personal enjoyment.

A Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training fact sheet about using constructed trails and walkways to manage livestock movement, reduce erosion, stabilize walking surfaces, and support integrated conservation practices on farms.

A video guide to affordable and easy stream bank restoration using branch cuttings called live stakes.