A give and take relationship with nature
Q&A with Lee Gravel, NRCS
Lee Gravel is the 2018 Watershed Coordinator of the Year. Lee is the Area Easement Specialist for NRCS where he helps implement the Agricultural Conservation Easements Program in northwest Iowa. That includes overseeing development and ranking of applications for the program, and coordinating local efforts to enroll and restore conservation areas.
Why are you passionate about conservation and your work?
As a child, I developed a deep relationship with the outdoors and wildlife. I learned my relationship with these great spaces and places is one of give-and-take. I learned over time that I would need to give something back to these places in an equal or greater amount if I wanted to sustain that relationship. Building a career in the natural resources field has been a great way to give back while also earning a living.
How do you envision Iowa's future when it comes to conservation and agriculture?
I see conservation playing a bigger role in the decision making process of landowners and producers. Landowners are beginning to understand (through outreach from NRCS and partners) that conservation is in their own best interest. Research is showing that farmers can maintain profits while protecting the soil and water, and that they have many different options for doing so.
In the future, I see more empowered landowners driving the decision making process on their land. I see those landowners offering renters a list of conservation practices to choose from while renting the farm, and I see those same landowners choosing their renters more carefully and based on their own goals and objectives.
What are farmers doing in your community that's making a difference?
I see farmers enrolling unproductive land into the Conservation Reserve Program as a way of cutting losses in such a way that ultimately helps their bottom-line. This is encouraging since this program has significant nutrient reduction and wildlife benefits.
What is your favorite conservation innovation?
My favorite conservation innovation is currently mobile planning. Newly developed mobile tools are increasing staff efficiency and creating a better product.
How did your Watershed Award impact you, your community, and your work?
The watershed award I received in 2018 demonstrated appreciation from my peers and partners for the hard work our watershed had accomplished. As a watershed coordinator, you have what is possibly the broadest set of duties in a USDA field office, and that makes the job extra difficult if you’re driven to show progress. Receiving that recognition and spotlight can really help boost morale for both the coordinators and the farmers in the watershed.