Certified Conservation Planner
Congratulations Kristin!
After six years of gaining hand-on experience and training, Kristin Adams has become the first OCSCD staff member to become a Level 3 USDA-NRCS Certified Conservation Planner. This designation will allow her to work more independently on conservation planning projects and expand the services and assistance the Ocean County Soil Conservation District can offer.
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) partners with local Soil Conservation Districts to provide technical and financial assistance to farmers, urban growers, and private landowners. Together, they help develop voluntary conservation plans that address soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitats through programs such as EQIP, RCPP and CSP.
From Planning to Protection:
What It Means to Become a USDA NRCS Level 3 Certified Conservation Planner
The Ocean County Soil Conservation District is proud to congratulate Kristin Adams on achieving USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Level 3 Certified Conservation Planner designation. This nationally recognized certification represents a significant professional milestone, reflecting years of education, technical training, field experience, and demonstrated competency in conservation planning.
The work that Certified Conservation Planners perform is essential to protecting the natural resources we all depend upon. From preserving healthy soils and improving water quality to enhancing wildlife habitat and strengthening the resilience of agricultural lands, conservation planners help landowners make informed decisions that benefit both their properties and the environment.
What Does a Conservation Planner Do?
Conservation planners work directly with agriculture and aquaculture producers, municipalities, woodland owners, and other landowners to develop customized conservation plans that address natural resource concerns while supporting the owner’s goals.
Every property is different. Soil types, slopes, drainage, vegetation, and land use all influence how land should be managed. Conservation planners visit properties, evaluate these conditions, identify resource concerns, and recommend practical conservation practices that improve both environmental health and long-term land productivity.
Their work may address issues such as:
- Soil health and soil erosion
- Water quality and stormwater runoff
- Plant productivity and health
- Wildlife and aquatic habitat
- Wetland protection
- Nutrient management
- Forest health
- Climate resilience
Using the USDA NRCS Nine-Step Conservation Planning Process, planners work collaboratively with landowners to develop practical, science-based solutions tailored to each property’s unique needs.
Earning Level 3 Certification
Becoming a Level 3 Certified Conservation Planner is a significant professional achievement. Certification is earned through progressive levels of training that combine classroom instruction, technical coursework, mentoring, field experience, and competency evaluations.
To achieve Level 3 certification, planners must demonstrate their ability to independently develop comprehensive conservation plans that address multiple natural resource concerns while balancing environmental stewardship with the landowner’s objectives. This rigorous process ensures that certified planners have both the technical expertise and practical experience needed to provide high-quality conservation assistance.
Conservation Planning in New Jersey
New Jersey’s diverse landscapes present unique conservation challenges. Conservation planners work with vegetable farms, cranberry and blueberry growers, horse farms, nurseries, forests, wetlands, suburban communities, and oyster and clam farms within our estuaries to help address erosion, improve water quality, restore habitat, manage stormwater, and strengthen climate resilience.
Many conservation plans also help landowners participate in voluntary USDA conservation programs that provide technical and financial assistance for implementing conservation improvements.
As a Level 3 Certified Conservation Planner, Kristin assists in planning and facilitating the District’s annual Local Working Group meeting in partnership with USDA NRCS. The meeting brings together farmers, landowners, conservation organizations, municipal officials, and interested residents to identify local natural resource concerns and discuss conservation priorities. Public participation is an important part of the conservation planning process, helping ensure that conservation efforts reflect the needs of Ocean County’s communities and landscapes.
A Commitment to Stewardship
Across the country, USDA NRCS conservation planners help people care for the land by combining sound science with practical solutions. Their work protects natural resources while supporting productive agriculture, aquaculture and healthy communities.
Achieving Level 3 Certified Conservation Planner designation is more than a professional credential—it represents a commitment to lifelong learning, technical excellence, and public service. It reflects the ability to develop thoughtful, science-based conservation plans that help protect soil, improve water quality, enhance wildlife habitat, and strengthen the resilience of our natural landscapes.
The Ocean County Soil Conservation District congratulates Kristin Adams on earning Level 3 Certified Conservation Planner designation. Her achievement reflects the District’s ongoing commitment to providing knowledgeable, professional conservation assistance and advancing the stewardship of New Jersey’s valuable natural resources.