The NRCS team included Soil Science and Natural Resource Assessments Assistant Director Dr. Michael Robotham of Hawaii, Assistant State Soil Scientist Dr. Robert Gavenda of Guam, and Soil Conservation Technician Gibson Santos of Pohnpei.
The NRCS soils training sessions were tailored for each state, and exposed participants to land use and conservation.
Participants learned about the basic kinds of soils, soil distribution in the landscape in their state survey area, soil properties and behavior and how these influence management decisions for agriculture and engineering applications.
In becoming familiar with the soil survey, participants are now better equipped for land use planning and matching soil and site characteristics with the desired use of the land.
According to NRCS, the goal of the training was “to build local capacity in using and interpreting soils and soil surveys for a host of resource management needs within the FSM.”
A similar training will be offered in Yap in 2010.
Working under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of State, USDA-NRCS assists the FSM with natural resource management as part of the Compact of Free Association between the two nations.
This assistance includes soil mapping and other soils information.
