Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist J.R. Flores announced the availability of a new landscaping publication. The 40-page full-color publication is titled “Living Landscapes in North Dakota: A Guide to Native Plantscaping.”

The development of the landscaping publication took nearly a year from the concept to the finished product. According to Flores, this was a cooperative effort between NRCS and the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, North Dakota Soil Conservation Committee, and North Dakota Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils.

This publication addresses the importance of native landscaping and extensively covers steps to successful landscaping. “With the extreme environmental conditions here in North Dakota, a need was identified to develop a publication of this nature to cover excellent alternatives to traditional landscaping,” said Flores. He added that one very important component to landscape planning is accessibility to water. In the drier climate of North Dakota, planning for water efficiency not only helps the environment, but contributes to success in plantings.

Distribution of this publication will be widespread across North Dakota and into parts of surrounding States. It will be made available for distribution through NRCS offices, landscaping businesses, local nurseries, garden centers, and so on.

For more information, contact your local NRCS office located in the USDA Service Center, or one of the Resource Conservation and Development offices in North Dakota. NRCS is listed in the telephone directory under the United States Department of Agriculture.

Copyright © 2006 Valley City Times Record www.times-online.com