South Dakota's Agricultural Drainage Decision Tool & LiDAR Inventory and Assessment Planning
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Webinar Details
When:
Apr 22, 2021 12:00 am US/Eastern
Length: 00:57 (hh:mm)
This live event has Ended. Most events are recorded and available for on-demand viewing usually within a week of their live showing. Check back then!
Presenter(s):
- (i) Mark Larson, Hydraulic Engineer, NRCS-South Dakota Ag Drainage Decision Tool
- (ii) Luke Westerman, Supervisory District Conservationist - Kansas NRCS LiDar Inventory &
Virtual Event Format:
Group Viewing Available:
Discover how new technology is revolutionizing conservation and agricultural planning. This webinar unveils two innovative tools: an Excel-based spreadsheet that analyzes the economic viability of agricultural drainage projects and an advanced LiDAR application used to accelerate grassland restoration. Learn from experts how to make smarter, data-driven decisions that enhance profitability and streamline conservation efforts on the ground.
Join conservation specialists for an insightful webinar showcasing innovative technologies that enhance agricultural and land management decisions. This session features two expert presentations on cutting-edge tools designed to improve profitability and streamline conservation planning. First, Mark Larson, a Hydraulic Engineer with the NRCS in South Dakota, introduces the Agricultural Drainage Decision Tool. This Microsoft Excel-based tool provides a quick economic analysis to help landowners determine the profitability of installing pattern tile drainage. By inputting soil map data, crop rotations, and costs, the tool estimates pre- and post-drainage profitability, the number of years to pay back the investment, and identifies acres with potential benefit versus those with little to none. [cite_start]Designed as a "conversation starter," this tool assists producers and conservationists in making more informed land management decisions. SREF Webinar Portal – New Webinar Setup Template Aug 2020 Next, Luke Westerman, a Supervisory District Conservationist from Kansas, delves into the applications of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology in conservation planning. LiDAR, a remote sensing method that collects 3D data of the Earth's surface, offers significant time savings and greater accuracy in designing practices like pipelines, waterways, and fences. The presentation highlights how Kansas is using LiDAR-derived products, such as "height above ground" data, to more easily identify and manage woody species encroachment within the Great Plains. This is especially critical for the Great Plains Grassland Initiative, a new program utilizing "act-now" funding to rapidly address threats to core grassland areas. As the U.S. accelerates toward a future of increased energy production—both fossil fuels and renewables—landscapes across the country are being transformed. This webinar, led by Dr. Joseph Kiesecker of The Nature Conservancy, explores the growing spatial footprint of energy development and its cumulative impacts on wildlife and habitats, especially in the western United States. Drawing from research and collaboration with NRCS and the Sage-Grouse Initiative, Dr. Kiesecker outlines how different energy sources—from oil and gas to wind and biofuels—vary in land-use efficiency and ecological consequences. The presentation provides insight into direct and indirect habitat loss, species declines (including sage-grouse, mule deer, and migratory birds), and landscape-level challenges that demand proactive conservation strategies. Participants will come away with a clearer understanding of energy development trends, their conservation implications, and actionable ideas for integrating science-based solutions into land and wildlife management.
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