GPS Technology in Texas

Can you imagine conservation planning without the current technology advancements, like the Global Positioning System (GPS)? Most of us cannot, and would not want to go back to the days when GPS, ArcGIS, Toolkit and many of the other technologies were not available.

GPS has brought our agency and the way we do business to another dimension. It is one of the most valuable technologies used by NRCS. Without GPS, NRCS employees would be spending more time with fewer people and planning fewer acres.

It’s a known fact that GPS has made conservation planning easier and more accurate, utilizing an employee’s time better to get the job done.

Through its use, Texas NRCS employees have experienced a great deal of success working with producers. From the Panhandle plains to the mountains of far west Texas; from the Rio Grande valley to the Piney Woods of east Texas; NRCS has made GPS technology the best choice for planning conservation in Texas.

Due to the high efficiency of the equipment and technology, NRCS in Texas has made it happen! The application of conservation and progress in planning are helping more producers do more, with less. The accomplishments in both the planning and application of conservation practices have been exemplary in all resource areas of the state.

Texas NRCS has made notable achievements in applying conservation on the ground utilizing GPS technology. Because of this, Texas NRCS and the NRCS National Employee Development Center in Ft. Worth developed the GPS video, Using GPS for Conservation in Texas.

The video showcases GPS technology capabilities and how NRCS in Texas utilizes this technology in conjunction with ArcGIS, Toolkit and other computer programs. Some of the information covered in the 22 minute video are: brush management, planning and certification; wildlife habitat enhancement areas; wetland preservation; structural practices; pond construction; forestry management; irrigation water management; feedlot air quality improvement and many other conservation practices.

Producer testimony is an integral part of the video that asserts the value of GPS in providing the assistance for their wants and needs of leaving the land better than they found it.

As an added benefit to Texas’ accomplishments, the GPS video is being presented as part of the upcoming National Boot Camp training sessions by the instructors in charge of the training on GPS backpacks. The video will be shown to students prior to the GPS unit demonstrations.

Texas NRCS incorporated GPS technology, using survey grade equipment about 10 years ago. More recently, Garmin GPS Map 76 with backpack units were deployed about five years ago.

When the new units were purchased, Texas training plans were developed immediately by NRCS engineers and other specialists. Employees received detailed training and were tested for proficiency. By meeting the standard requirements, employees earned official certification for use of GPS in planning and practice certification. Texas NRCS had the certification process in place within six months of receiving the GPS units.


Copies of the Texas GPS video are being distributed by the state office in Temple. To obtain additional information about the video, please contact the NRCS Public Affairs Staff at 254.742.9800.

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